The filmmakers of the 90s tore it off. The disappearance of actor Philippe Nahon, Sunday April 19 at the age of 82, caused great emotion in the middle of the seventh art. Mathieu Kassovitz, Alexandre Astier, and even Léa Drucker all wanted to salute their colleague and friend for the last time, who died of a " long illness, aggravated by a Covid-19 infection," his wife said. AFP.
Read also: Death at 82 years of Philippe Nahon, unforgettable mouth of French cinema
The poignant tribute of Gaspar Noé
Particularly touched by the death of the actor, main character of his films Carne and Seul contre tous , the director Gaspar Noé split a long platform in Liberation . "Philippe my great friend, I just learned that you died," he begins. While France now has more than 19,000 deaths linked to the coronavirus, the Argentinian filmmaker deplores that the name of Philippe Nahon "is added to this long list which is constantly growing" . "We are like in a dream, repetitive, in which we believe without really believing it."
I wanted a Gaul, direct and sentimental. I saw a photo of you and the love at first sight was immediate
Gaspar Noé, directorThe director of Love then looks back on their meeting, thirty years ago, when he was looking for an actor to play in his first short film Carne . "I wanted a Gaul, direct and sentimental. I saw a photo of you and the love at first sight was immediate, ” he recalls. The scenario writer is conquered by the interpretation of Philippe Nahon: "You brought so much grace to this character who, by his acts and his thoughts, was your antithesis, that after this first fixed price, [...] I did not want but one thing: continue the same story with you ". S i though they will hand cover seven years later with only against all , a feature film this time.
Ah, Philippe, what did we have fun! Friendship exists. You were right
Gaspar Noé, director"Remained welded all these years" , the two men find themselves in Irréversible , whose first plans open on Philippe Nahon. In recent months, Gaspar Noé had the project to realize "an epilogue to the life of our butcher". He will be prevented by the sudden disappearance of his friend. "I hope your last moments were sweet. [...] I will not be able to cry with your close relations. For now, everyone will mourn, alone and as best they can, ”he regrets.
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“The men are leaving, but hopefully some of their traces remain. Your voice will no longer warm us but its echoes will always resonate in me. Ah, Philippe, what did we have fun! Friendship exists. You were right, ” concludes his moving tribute.
The actor of a generation of enthusiasts
This "mouth" of French cinema has marked many directors. With Mathieu Kassovitz, he plays in La Haine and Les Rivières pourpres , today references. The filmmaker praised this " actor, a lover of cinema and an outstanding actor ".
Fabrice du Welz, he discovers the actor in the medium-length film Carne by Gaspar Noé in 1991. And he never fully recovered. Thirteen years later, Philippe Nahon plays for him in his cult Calvaire . " You were the actor of a generation and you were a golden man ", punctuates the filmmaker.
In Seul contre tous et encore Carne, Léa Drucker says she is " impressed " by the acting of Philippe Nahon. In 2005, she will have the opportunity to meet and discover a " very great actor and a charming partner " in the film Virgil by Mabrouk El Mechri. Gustave Kervern, the director of Mammuth (2010), remembers an actor and a person very different from the others. " There weren't many like him. Whether on screen or in life. An exception. "
A special case which, despite some disturbing roles, could also reveal great comic potential. This was the case in the Kaamelott series , in which he interpreted the unforgettable Goustan. Father of Léodagan and former king of Carmelide, Goustan is a cruel and bloodthirsty being, always quick to go to war. A role written to perfection by Alexandre Astier who mourns his passing today. " Damn, how sad ... "