(Paris) Although he had previously signed and directed five feature films, Roschdy Zem had never embarked on a project so personal. Inspired by an event that actually happened, “Mine” is an ode to family in which the actor didn’t always give himself the best role. Encounter.
Updated at 9:00 yesterday.
In “Les miens” you tell the story of an otherwise gentle and altruistic man, played by Sami Bouajila, who, after suffering a severe blow to the head in his fall, speaks unfiltered and starts slapping his relatives in the face of four truths. Is it true that you were inspired by your own brother’s story?
Roshdy Zem : Absolutely ! In fact, I used this accident as an excuse. But I think the main reason that pushed me to make such a personal film is that I’m at a stage in my life where you reflect on the life you’ve lived so far and also on that what awaits us in the future . I think the pandemic, when we were all locked up in our homes, sparked these kinds of questions from a lot of people. I wanted to talk about family.
My movie trailer
In addition to her role, Maïwenn will draw the screenplay for your feature film with you. We can also note a certain relationship between ADN, the film she made before Jeanne du Barry, and Les miens. Why did you call Maïwenn and what contribution did she make?
Producer Pascal Caucheteux, who also produced ADN, suggested I take a similar approach for my film, which is to write and shoot quickly. I then said to myself that Maïwenn could act as a filter. That said, when you embark on a personal project like this, you need the perspective of a more distant person who can distinguish the interesting from the uninteresting. . I trusted Maïwenn completely, especially for helping me get rid of all the pathos I didn’t want. In addition, she has a very direct, very sensual writing style. The script was written in less than a month!
PHOTO SHANA BESSON PROVIDED BY AXIA FILMS
Maïwenn and Roschdy Zem in Les miens, which they wrote together and directed by Roschdy Zem
In Mine you embody this successful TV presenter, who draws the admiration of his brother, but also many reproaches from all other members of his family. In other words, you didn’t quite give yourself the best role…
If it had been necessary for me to give myself the beautiful role in addition to writing and directing, I think we would have said, “Let’s put it that way”… [Rires] I found this sort of mise en abyme interesting of anything I can be accused of. I really enjoyed this form of self-mockery about my personality. I preferred to show off my dysfunction rather than show an incredibly noble character coming to the rescue of his family. That would not correspond to reality at all!
This is your sixth feature film as a director. What made you decide to get behind the camera as one of the most sought-after and appreciated actors in French cinema?
When I wrote my first film [Mauvaise foi], it was out of the question for me to realize it. But then, the producer [Philippe Godeau] immediately suggested I do it myself. I remember being very surprised but also very seduced by this idea, which had never occurred to me before. I even gave my consent very quickly for fear he would change his mind! I now feel like I’m getting better each time, and I enjoy telling things. That’s what motivates me. When you embark on a personal story like mine, there can be no rivalry with anyone because, inevitably, no one can tell it my way. However, if I were asked to adapt Maupassant tomorrow, I would say that talented filmmakers would be far better suited than I am.
You arrived in the late 1980s, early 1990s and renowned filmmakers – André Téchiné, Xavier Beauvois, Patrice Chéreau – quickly took advantage of your talent. How did the desire to become an actor come about?
There was no real desire because there were no role models back then that I could rely on. Yes, I just wanted the experience and see how filming went, but never thought about building a long-term career from there. My profile – son of North African immigrants – did not exist in French cinema. However, I got to the point where the directors started creating characters with my profile. I was often in the right place at the right time. Talented directors put me on the right track and allowed me to build enough confidence to turn my fantasies into passions.
And 30 years later, has this trust been strengthened?
On the contrary, it becomes weaker. As the years go by, we place higher demands on ourselves that are inevitably more difficult to achieve. But the fun remains!
Mine will be released on June 9th.
Travel expenses were covered by Unifrance.
Who is Roshdy Zem?
- Born in Gennevilliers in 1965 to Moroccan parents, Roschdy Zem played small roles in J’embrasse pas and My Favorite Season before finding big ones in Don’t Forget You’re Gonna Die and Have It (Or Not). gained attention.
- He received his first selection at the Césars in 2000 thanks to his performance in Ma petite entreprise. Roschdy Zem is mentioned four more times as an actor. His composition “Roubaix, une lumière” earned him the César for best actor in 2020.
- Roschdy Zem wrote and directed Bad Faith, a first feature film, in 2006, in which he starred opposite Cecile de France. It was followed by Omar Killing Me (2011), Bodybuilder (2014), Chocolate (2016) and Persona non grata (2019).