Contents
- Mélissa Theuriau: proud of Jamel Debbouze, the father of her children
- In “Why I Didn’t Eat My Father”, you play your first role as an actress in a motion capture film. A first in Europe. How did the shooting go?
- At the start of filming, you had just given birth. Wasn’t it too difficult to put yourself in the shoes of your character?
- This project took seven years to complete. Your support must have been essential for Jamel …
- You play the role of Lucy, the fiancée of Edward, the main character. For Jamel, was it obvious to give you this role?
- Has being under the leadership of your husband united your relationship?
- Tolerance is at the very heart of this film. Does this echo the education you give to your children?
- You have just bought the rights to the book “No more than 4 hours of sleep” by blogger, well known to mothers, Marlène Schiappa. So you are preparing a next film on the theme of motherhood?
Mélissa Theuriau: proud of Jamel Debbouze, the father of her children
In “Why I Didn’t Eat My Father”, you play your first role as an actress in a motion capture film. A first in Europe. How did the shooting go?
It was new for all of us, so we all took part in this challenge that was ours. We had to travel in Lycra coveralls, covered with sensors. It took a little while each morning to get ready. Since we were all dressed the same way, it helped us to uninhibit ourselves, to dare, to crawl for most of us. It was a lot of preparation up front. For a year, we had the chance to rehearse with a coach who taught us how to move around. Man is no longer used to crawling. It was physical and some have kept some traces elsewhere. It is a shoot that we will not forget!
At the start of filming, you had just given birth. Wasn’t it too difficult to put yourself in the shoes of your character?
It helped me to recover faster since I had to be ready in May. But at the same time, it was motivating because I was in good physical condition, in good health. I had to meet the requirements and put myself in the shoes of the character. It was an important issue for me since it was new.
This project took seven years to complete. Your support must have been essential for Jamel …
I was there to restore his confidence or allay his doubts. My pride is immense. I saw what seven years of hard work meant when it wasn’t his only activity. It’s a project that occupies your mind day and night, you are in this challenge that you are carrying. All the pressure is on your shoulders. It is also great moments of solitude. I tried to accompany him as best I could, to reassure him. But I knew he was making the right choices, and then that he was not alone in deciding everything. You also have to accept that things escape you …
You play the role of Lucy, the fiancée of Edward, the main character. For Jamel, was it obvious to give you this role?
At first not at all, neither for him nor for me. We didn’t think about it at all. But as he struggled to find Lucy, it became obvious to him. And after reflection, I said to myself that I had to dare. I had nothing to lose …
Has being under the leadership of your husband united your relationship?
I discovered it differently. I have great admiration for him. This was already the case before, but I have seen him lead very talented people on a daily basis with a lot of sensitivity, intelligence and kindness. I already knew his qualities but to see them at work on such a pharaminous project, with so much pressure, gave me the courage to continue in my profession, to be more optimistic in the projects that I undertake. Such an experience unites the couple even more, that’s for sure.
Tolerance is at the very heart of this film. Does this echo the education you give to your children?
What most echoes the education we want to give our children is the fact of not being afraid of others, of differences, of groups of friends, of those who are not like you. not. And then, being in a group doesn’t mean you have to condemn it, and that’s what Edouard does. It touched me a lot. Life is long and blaming people for too long is crippling you. You also have to be able to forget in order to move forward. This is how we try to educate our children.
You have just bought the rights to the book “No more than 4 hours of sleep” by blogger, well known to mothers, Marlène Schiappa. So you are preparing a next film on the theme of motherhood?
Playing in “Why I Didn’t Eat My Father” allowed me to dare and discover another universe. Fiction and adaptation make it possible to support a point, to have another commitment, to point the finger at subjects that seem essential to me. This is what I do in my documentaries, but it is also what cinema can bring. It’s a new adventure. I modestly try to surround myself with the best who know this job, I go step by step. I co-write with a talented screenwriter, I co-produce with a talented producer. I am gradually learning a new profession and it is fascinating.
“Why I Didn’t Eat My Father”, theatrical release: April 8, 2015