Marc Robitaille has always moved between cinema, literature and television. On the big screen we owe him the scripts ofWinter storiesfromA summer without points and goalsfrom Club Vinland and from Felix and the Treasure of Morgea, an animated film for which he is preparing the sequel, which was seen in 175 territories around the world. He wrote several sketches for television A boy, a girl. He created The perfect moments of which he is the main author. We follow the Thomases, a family like ours who have similar problems to us. It was easy to get attached to. A gentle and caring series that contrasts with the breathtaking pace of most series.
Photo provided by TVA
We talked about it Perfect moments like a series feel well. How is she part of this trend?
The original idea was to make it an ensemble film where we would talk about a family, the whirlwind of people trying to juggle too many balls. It was 2005. The character of George, who has a younger wife, was already there. While his wife is on tour, the family takes care of their little girl. Then we had the opportunity to turn the story into a series. The timing was good. This Is Us was successful. The feel-good series was in contrast to the “Steroid” series. We are in small internal movements. There’s no weapon in my things. I want our series to make small ones.
Have you had to seek advice from people around you to fully understand certain issues?
I would tell you that you need to be more than just an observer of everyday life, you need to learn from others. You have to take notes. Hitchcock said that reality is flat and that we must seek out the small moments when there is something at stake, a disagreement, a betrayal, a desperation. We are a team of authors. Everyone has their experiences. We realized that everyone had their “Nadia” (character who broke Philippe’s heart). To love without receiving love in return, to mix the love of your life with the love of your dreams. But we knew our topic well: family. There is no need to enter the world of lawyers, the police or the mafia.
Why was it important that three generations were represented in the series?
In my head I’m still 40 years old. Catherine, Philippe and Louis all have a little bit of me. Catherine has doubts, Philippe is open, Louis is worried. I’m George’s age. I have children myself. I think that young adulthood is the hardest time in life. You don’t know what job you want to do, where you’ll live, with whom… It’s a generation that is both touching and brilliant. And open to other generations. We live in a fascinating time that is much less compartmentalized.
They say that ordinary people have no history. How did you manage to prove otherwise?
Our characters hurt each other, but they love each other. I’m more of an idealist. Unlike “Succession” or “Before the Crash,” where the characters always do the beating. We go against the grain. We live the life we know, but without the “flat ends”. Most series are about antiheroes. Even Batman is obscured. Catherine is an ordinary girl, but she is a hero. Annie is a hero. They are admirable characters, even with their flaws. In addition, there are many wounds of pride in this family.
The series ends in a few weeks. Did you have a chance to write the ending you wanted?
It’s certain that we had ideas to continue for another season or two. There are frames that we wanted to open. Luckily, we had the opportunity to finish it in the most elegant way for everyone. The challenge is for the audience to recognize that this is how we wanted to end. There are things that will unravel by the end, and I can say that many of them will finally meet their X. That was the leitmotif of the series, finding your X. The final episode will be very touching. There will be things the public wants, but not in the way they imagine.
►The perfect moments Wednesday at 8 p.m VAT