More than 170 press articles around the world testified to the impressive setting of the film "Adieu Monsieur Haffmann", abandoned on the spot, rue Berthe and Androuet (18th century), a stone's throw from the Sacré-Coeur, on March 17 latest. “As soon as the containment was announced, we took a day to dismantle what was likely to disturb residents. We left what could be there, in particular the marouflages that line the walls and give a vintage tone. Now we have to fix everything to resume filming in June. The images filmed today must be in harmony with those which were filmed two months ago, ”underlines Philippe Chiffre, one of the greatest decorators of French cinema, responsible today for this delicate mission.
The adaptation of the play
"Adieu Monsieur Haffmann" is one of the great productions of French cinema. It is a film adaptation of the play, written by Jean-Philippe Daguerre and awarded four Molières in 2018. A historic comedy which takes place during the German Occupation.
For the big screen, this film directed by Fred Cavayé tells the story of a Jewish jeweler, Joseph Haffmann, in the guise of Daniel Auteuil, who hides in the cellar of his jewelry to escape the Nazis. “His business, at the corner of the two streets is the important place for action. We reconstituted in the studio his jewelry, his workshop, his apartment as well as the cellar from where he sees the whole neighborhood live the Occupation, "says Philippe Chiffre who precisely ensures the connection between the studio shots - before shots containment - and the images captured here, in natural surroundings, a week just before March 17. And which will be supplemented by five other days of filming on site.
François Mercier, the employee of Mr. Haffmann who takes over his business while waiting for the end of the Occupation is played by Gilles Lellouche. Sara Giraudeau and Nikolai Kinski are also on the bill. But it's the decor, who is the first star of the film.
“Fred Cavayé absolutely wanted to have shots in these two streets. This gives depth, breadth and poetry to the images, ”further explains Philippe Chiffre. With all the constraints that this imposed: remove the strips of pedestrian crossings and replace them with vintage nails. Remove more than 200 anti-parking pads. Remove today's signs for those of the time, in German.
Vandalized ten days ago
All the visitors of the last two months of confinement respected the places left in the state. The walkers widely photographed the marouflaged walls and the anti-Bolshevik posters, the notices of curfew in German, the collaborationist advertisements. “Everything had stood up perfectly. But ten days ago, one person ripped everything out. And even tagged the walls, ”observes when work resumes, with his teams, Philippe Chiffre.
Another difficulty: a local resident today refuses to replace a decoration on the facade of his building.
"It is particularly difficult to resume, after two months of stoppage," recognizes Patrice Arrat, production manager, at the center of the organizer of this heavy machinery. He has to fix everything. “We had 100 extras and 80 technicians on site. The prefecture of police rules require us to tour with only 50 people. "
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The scenario was then revised to adapt to the new standards. The rules of distancing must be respected, as well as the wearing of a mask (except for actors). Tarpaulins will be placed to close the streets to the public. A nurse and a firefighter will be hired. And a company will be hired to oversee sanitary measures. "It is at this price that we will be able to resume the film," he emphasizes.
There were 40 films shooting in Paris before the confinement
“We had 40 major productions in Paris (films, series and even large commercials). They were all stalled on March 17, ”says Michel Gomez, the Monsieur cinema at the Hôtel de Ville. "And today, we are helping these productions to resume as well as possible," he explains.
The prefecture imposed its rules, in particular the restriction to 50 people on the plateaus. With masks and gel as best as possible. "The prefecture also requires the installation of large tarpaulins to avoid grouping of the public," he adds. Two major productions will be able to restart in June: Adieu Monsieur Haffmann will be the first, in the 18th century. The second is Eiffel , another period film, shot in the 7th. The rest will be scheduled in June or July. All the other projects which were supposed to start from May are postponed to July or September, in the hope of simplifying the sanitary measures ”.