The 25th edition of Alpe d’Huez Festival takes its course! On January 18, 2022, after Franck Dubosc and La Bande à Fifi, it was Audrey Dana’s turn to present her next film: Men on the verge of a nervous breakdown, a feature film in competition this year. Delighted and somewhat moved to finally be able to present this new comedy, which has been sleeping in the boxes for almost two years, the actress and director was surrounded by her merry band of actors during the presentation to the public on Tuesday evening.
Michaël Gregorio, Laurent Stocker, Thierry Lhermitte, Pascal Demolon, François-Xavier Demaison and Ramzy Bedia had indeed put on their après-skis and their big sweaters to defend this new choral comedy, which features seven men embarked on group therapy in the wilderness, guided by Marina Hands in the role of coach Omega. To see the reception of the public during this first screening in Isère, these Men on the verge of a nervous breakdown should seduce many spectators when it is released in theaters on May 25.
“I was very relieved because I felt that they were present [les spectateurs, NDLR], that they had a good time and that’s the one and only reason I make movies“, commented Audrey Dana, with Purepeople.com. For his part, François-Xavier Demaison was also “very happy, very relieved“once past the baptism of fire.”We can be proud of our Audrey!” A sentiment shared by Pascal Demolon: “The welcome was so warm that it reassures us.”
Even though filming ended a long time ago, director and actors have remained close as they have become friends, despite living conditions stripped of all comforts and trying scenes to shoot…”In the Vercors for two months with all this band, I think we were not far from reality. What you see in the film, it’s a bit what we lived anyway“, recalls François-Xavier Demaison. “This group, it must be said, was put to the test because we were immersed in circumstances that were still extreme. I won’t go so far as to say that we risked our lives but… It created extraordinary memories for us.“, adds his good friend Pascal Demolon.
A 95% male complicity that bursts the screen, to discover at the cinema on May 25th. Until then, we have to wait until Saturday to find out if the film will win one of the Alpe d’Huez Festival prizes…