A prison entrance, barbed wire, two colossi with sunglasses and above all… a horde of zombies.
The smoke unfolds in front of the huge door signed "Z" with extras candidates decked out in paraphernalia to make the most unbridled video game blush.
No, this is not the shooting of an American blockbuster but that of the new game show produced by Arthur, "District Z", broadcast from this Friday on TF1.
This XXL shoot took place last July, in full deconfinement, in an insane setting on land belonging to Parc Asterix, in the Oise.
The goal?
Twenty-five personalities, five per evening, have to face 18 trials and escape "zombies" to try to win 100,000 euros for an association.
“It's one of the biggest budgets since
Loft Story
with drones and 44 cameras including a spidercam used in stadiums that goes up to 50 km / h!
I have been working there for 3 years with my production company Satisfaction - The Television Agency.
It's the biggest thing I've ever produced and the biggest set in the history of television, ”boasts Arthur, producer - the host is Denis Brogniart - eyes shining as a child.
He imagined for this French creation an atmosphere of films at Jurassic Park.
“We have 180 technicians.
Technologically, it's going to be huge!
"
"We want to put your eyes on it"
The starting point?
A rich scientist's lab explodes, and the army isolates the area.
In the grip of boredom, the professor encourages the reckless to enter his den, called "District Z", to try to steal his fortune.
Denis Brogniart, the man of Fridays of TF1, a week after the final of "Koh-Lanta", guides a cast which includes among others the ex-Miss France Marine Lorphelin, Michaël Youn, Estelle Lefébure, the comedian Jarry or the actor Arnaud Ducret.
As in a video game, they will have to protect their "life" hanging behind their backs, pursued by zombies.
The five teams of five personalities will seek to escape all these traps overnight.
"They are going to take it in the face," smiles Denis Brogniart.
The latter is well surrounded: two bodyguards, Hans and Helmut, ensure his safety against the "creatures".
“They are taller than me, it's crazy!
», The animator of 1m93 is surprised.
The sets of "District Z" will then be used by other foreign productions. / TF1 / A.Issock
In this ten hectare site, participants will sometimes walk 5 to 6 km.
A combination with rope and torch should help them to resolve the trials which are both distressing and… family.
“This is not a show to scare but entertainment.
The contestants will be terrified but they will make viewers laugh.
I'm waiting for Jarry on this ground, ”laughs Arthur as an alarm screams in our ears.
In the distance, a disused elevator shaft soars skyward.
The image looks psychedelic in the dark night.
“We want to be eye-catching.
There will be explosions, hence the strict safety rules, ”warns Arthur.
Among the installations, a boat, a tower, a well with a depth of 11 meters or a train with animals will give the candidates a hard time.
“Alligator, rats or snakes will be hidden in crates.
It's going to howl, ”laughs Arthur in front of the wagons already used for the Parc Asterix shows.
Candidates must ... find a sound!
“A little
hii
that drives you crazy,” Arthur notes, a bit sadistic.
Quicksand and safe
On our left, conveyor belts follow one another.
“This is our
Intercity
event
.
It will be necessary to aim with water lances.
All that's missing is the calves, ”he remarks before handing over to Denis Brogniart for the rules of the Vertigo tower“ because it's a bit like his show ”.
The latter is executed but it is difficult to understand the principle.
“It sounds complicated but looking at it it's obvious.
It reminds me of when I started
Take it or leave it,
”reassures his sidekick, before inviting us to stop our steps.
“Be careful, this is a trapped area!
“Here we are in front of the cemetery, where the candidates will risk sinking… in quicksand.
The zombies of the game "District Z" ./TF1/ A.Issock
This is where a zombie arrives to show off his black eye.
"No, it's not dark enough yet," observes Arthur, attentive to the smallest detail.
They are not disgusting zombies but rather 1980s style. ”Horror movie parody atmosphere.
To rest between two levels, participants will benefit from a lounge.
“But they will only have 15 minutes to sleep,” promises the host.
At the end of this long night, they will finally be able to access a safe.
"The goal is to win up to 14 passes on the events to open a maximum of chests", details Denis Brogniart.
And Arthur to ironize in front of our lost heads: "We will give you Doliprane!"
"
Newsletter The list of our desires
Our favorites for fun and culture.
Subscribe to the newsletterAll newsletters
Before leaving, we learn that zombies are also… cameramen and sound recorders.
“If Denis leaves his zone: Denis Brogniart or not, it doesn't matter.
They attack.
And Arthur is already planning a second life for his decor.
“It will be sold to foreign productions.
They will just have to come with their leader and their candidates, ”he prides himself, before concluding:“ I realized all my dreams and my worst fears there.
To get out, the candidates will hit the sprint of their life, pursued by a horde of zombies!
"
Between laughter and shivers
We saw the first episode of “District Z” with Arnaud Ducret, Michaël Youn, Denitsa Ikonomova, the ballerina who won “Dance with the stars” several times, the actor Vincent Desagnat and the radio host Cartman, who form the first team to enter the arena.
This format at the edge of "Fort Boyard" and video games on graphics denotes what we are used to seeing on our screens.
If the role of zombies sometimes struggles to convince, we appreciate the spectacular aspect of some games.
How funny it is to see the host of “Koh-Lanta”, true to himself, in this oppressive atmosphere.
But we shudder more for the candidates in front of the void than in front of the grimaces of the creatures.
And watching Michaël Youn struggling even before the event begins is a good laugh!