The surprising reason Eric Cantona was chosen for The Colossus with Feet of Clay

How did you get hold of this testimony (the film is adapted from the autobiographical book by the baptized Sébastien Boueilh). Clay Footed Colossus)?

I knew a little about the rugby player but didn’t know about his relationship. The producer came to see me and asked if I wanted to read Sébastien’s book, and I read it. How not to be impressed by this book! This is impossible ! I immediately said yes to this movie. If I could do this for the kids…. I would love to make a film that promotes freedom of expression.

Did you feel invested in a mission?

Yes, first because it’s a true story, but also because I met the person who actually happened to you. Sébastien followed all stages of preparation and shooting. He explained everything to me down to the last detail, he was very strong. My job was to write the truth of his suffering. I also told myself that if a child telephoned the association at the end of the movie, he would be a saved child. If there are ten people – children or adults – it will be even better! Clay Footed Colossus A film about an abused child, as well as a 45-year-old, 1,90-foot-tall man who complains when it’s hard to tell the truth.

What did the presence of Sébastien Boueilh bring you?

I talked to him especially when there were important choices to be made at the level of a child’s reaction to all this to make sure I wasn’t wrong. We don’t see her being abused on her face. How can we detect what’s going on? I asked him about this and his connection to his family. I couldn’t adapt the whole book into this movie. It’s a simple unit, you had to make choices and cut.

What did you leave out?

Everything in Sébastien’s story is faithful. We tweaked things a little bit, for example we gave an encounter with an abused child as a trigger for her speech release. She sends back an image of him asking her to speak. Nor were we going to tell about all his rapes or everything he’s been through through all the ages. We summarized it shortly.

Why did you keep the same title as your book, which is also the name of your association?

We could have changed, but I think it’s a shame… I wish there was a discussion on TV afterwards, it would be great. one of the movie series (Editor’s note recreating an intervention by Sébastien to raise children’s awareness of sexual violence) was not staged. We went to this school and I asked Sébastien to write down his usual speech while speaking. Eric Cantona learned this by heart and spoke to them without saying engine. Almost documentary.

Can you tell us about Eric Cantona that you directed in several episodes? Traveler…

I had the chance to do four films with him for France Télévisions and it was great. I adore him and we became very close. We are lucky to have a true understanding of art and people. when i proposed to her Clay Footed Colossusobviously he was on board.

Was it obvious to you that he was playing Sébastien Boueilh?

A burly man with a Southern accent, not even fifty! (laughs) That immediately came to mind. And he immediately accepted. He lost about ten kilos for this role and we dyed his hair and beard black. Things can only go well with Eric. He is one of the rare people in this profession who is so loyal, honest and honest. It always surprised me. He is very sensitive, reserved, humble and benevolent towards others.

Production oscillates between the past and the present. Why ?

We told ourselves, along with the screenwriter, that we needed to see Sébastien as a kid to tell this story. We’re connecting right now. And a chronological sequence could only encompass Eric Cantona in the second part of the movie. But in the first scene, I had the idea to show her naked in the shower, to shoot shots of her starting at her feet and going up and getting dressed. It was supposed to show “The Giant”.

You also directed an episode of season 1. Toulouse Lautrec high school (TF1). Do these true stories particularly impress you?

It’s this kind of project that really kicks me out! When you love people, you always have something to say. That’s what I love about my job. The story must have had an effect on me first.

you are an actressI’m hungry!!!, LOL, Captain Marleau..) before becoming a director. Why did you stop playing?

I don’t go on tour anymore, except for some friends. It’s not that I don’t like acting, but being an actor is very difficult. The less I see my face, the better. I can’t stand myself, that’s it.

Pauline Hohoadji