Vincent Cassel had never starred in a TV series before agreeing to star in Liaison, a six-part spy thriller that premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday. Why did he give in? “Because it’s not television,” replies the French actor.
Posted at 6:51 am
In a zoom interview from Paris, Vincent Cassel looks in great shape. The famous comedian lets his enthusiasm accelerate his flow of words and candidly explains why he’s always been “reluctant” to move from the big screen to the small screen. His prejudices had something to do with it. “Television had connotations,” admits the star of the feature films Hatred (1995), Purple Rivers (2000) and Irreversible (2002). The sums of money involved in the seventh art, which are high compared to the medium of television, also justified his decision.
However, this last argument is no longer valid today since, according to the French press, each episode of Liaison would have benefited from an envelope of 5 to 10 million euros, or between 7 million and 14 million Canadian dollars. . “We’re talking about a budget that’s equivalent to a big movie,” says Vincent Cassel. Visually, that means there’s a lot of stuff we spent writing…
“And then, technologically speaking, television has been a bit like movies for a long time [notre discussion Zoom], he continues. That means we had to see people up close because we only saw Slab on a CRT screen. As soon as we took a long shot, we lost all the details. Today the situation has changed. For 300 euros, anyone can have an OLED screen [430 $]. »
Apple’s strength
Invented and written by Virginie Brac (Engrenages), the Liaison mini-series tells the story of two secret agents — and former explosives enthusiasts camped out by Cassel and Eva Green (Casino Royale) — who must join forces to thwart cyberattacks that are sweeping England and the future of England threaten mankind.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY APPLE TV+
Vincent Cassel and Eva Green in Liaison
The 56-year-old describes his character as “an international mercenary”. “He’s a former soldier. Since he was very good, the secret services contacted him and sent him on a mission somewhere… But things weren’t going very well and his government abandoned him as if he didn’t exist anymore. And today, because he felt abandoned, he is capable of anything. »
As things stand in France, Liaison could never have been hatched without Apple TV+, Vincent Cassel believes. Even Canal+, a private pay-TV channel that has produced several prestigious series, does not have enough money to fund such a production.
In fact, Liaison raises visually. Super polished directed by Stephen Hopkins (24 Hours Long, Lost in Space), the series, shot partly in London, features multiple action sequences, visual effects and spectacular aerial footage. “That’s Apple’s clout,” says Vincent Cassel. It’s a different way of doing it. Even as a 1990s actor, I suddenly realize that this is a different way of making, airing, and promoting a show. »
Greater freedom
Vincent Cassel started ogling television when “stuff of incredible quality” landed on it. He cites the US series “Breaking Bad” and “Westworld” in which he has won a place in 2020.
“Suddenly I thought, ‘Fuck, that’s amazing, the freedom of time they have that we don’t have in the cinema!’ Because in the cinema very often you shouldn’t say “Fuck”, you shouldn’t say “God”, you shouldn’t do this, you shouldn’t do that, you shouldn’t show a nipple, it’s PG 13… We’re onto that submissions instructed [au box-office]… The first screening determines the course of a film. »
Is Vincent Cassel worried about the future of cinema? “I’ve never been nostalgic,” replies the César-winner for best actor for The Death Instinct and Public Enemy #1 in 2009.
It is important to me that we tell interesting stories and that they are accessible, which means that we can see them. I don’t care about the size of the screen. I discovered Elephant Man on iPad and I still cried!
Vincent Kassel
Your year Eva Green
Vincent Cassel did not start Liaison with his eyes closed. The one that we can see in the cinema with Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom required to have the title of executive producer ” [son] “Participation” in all creative decisions, including the choice of the main actress, which was imposed from the start.
“Eva Green has always fascinated me,” reveals the actor. I had tried using it on other projects but it never worked. When she accepted liaison, I was like crazy! I think she’s one of those rare actresses that has that elegance, that mystery, that interpretative power. I’m a very, very, very big fan of hers. »
PHOTO CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Vincent Cassel and Eva Green at the Liaison preview in Paris
Vincent Cassel’s wish was granted twice rather than once, as after liaison the couple found themselves in the film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers, which will be released later in 2023 in two parts. Cassel y camps Athos, while Eva Green plays milady there. “This is another extremely complex and intense story. This year is my Eva Green year! »
The first episode of Liaison lands on Apple TV+ on Friday.