(Cannes) Accompanied by Magalie Lépine-Blondeau and Pierre-Yves Cardinal, the two main actors of Simple as SylvainMonia Chokri seduced festival-goers with a film that is both funny and touching, which asks beautiful questions about the feeling of love.
There was a crowd around the Claude Debussy Theater, especially as the screening which had previously taken place in the same venue had dragged on a bit, the world premiere of Simple as Sylvain must have been a bit late. With great enthusiasm, Thierry Frémaux presented the one who, four years ago, had distinguished herself in the same section – Un certain regard – thanks to My brother’s wifeJury’s “Coup de Coeur” prize.
Monia Chokri, who had done her technical screening the day before in the middle of the night, came on stage with the firm idea of delivering a message about the importance of making works in a climate of benevolence. The filmmaker thus echoed these recent speeches – one thinks of that of Adèle Haenel in particular – where the silence surrounding the misconduct of certain creators was denounced on the pretext that their works are a matter of genius.
A great pride
Standing behind with the other artisans of the film, Magalie Lépine-Blondeau wiped away a tear after hearing the speech of her filmmaker friend. In an interview with Quebec journalists after the screening, the actress explained that this strong emotion was, in fact, the result of many things.
PHOTO FRED GERVAIS, PROVIDED BY IMMINA FILMS
Magalie Lépine-Blondeau and Pierre-Yves Cardinal in Simple as Sylvaina film by Monia Chokri
“Obviously, we see the path traveled to get here. I felt a great pride for my friend Monia, a great filmmaker and also a very consistent woman in her practice and her speech. I also found that his message resembled him and honored the way the filming took place. We also feel in Cannes this year a split between an obsolete way of doing things and the practices of new generations which tend towards something happier, more respectful, no less grand and meaningful for all that. »
The message was well received, and Simple as Sylvain was – with good reason – heartily applauded as soon as the end credits appeared. Monia Chokri had already asserted herself as a filmmaker thanks to her short film someone extraordinary and his first two feature films, My brother’s wife And Baby sitteralthough this last title may have destabilized a certain part of the public because of a more fragmented narrative.
Borrowing this time a more linear narrative form, Monia Chokri offers her most beautiful film. Well mastered, punctuated by sparkling dialogues, bathed in credible emotion, Simple as Sylvain gives Magalie Lépine-Blondeau the opportunity to play one of her finest roles. The complicity between the actress and Pierre-Yves Cardinal is tangible, and Monia Chokri magnificently films the love scenes between the two protagonists, both carnal and modest, which also develop the story on the narrative level.
PHOTO FRED GERVAIS, PROVIDED BY IMMINA FILMS
Magalie Lépine-Blondeau is the headliner of Simple as Sylvain. Monia Chokri’s film is selected at Cannes in the Un certain regard section.
“We had a lot of intimate scenes to shoot, Pierre-Yves and I, but it was one of the sweetest experiences for me,” said Magalie Lépine-Blondeau. We were even looking forward to filming them because we found that each of them told something different. I considered myself lucky to be in absolute confidence in the arms of my partner. Monia and I have been thinking about these questions for a very long time because too often an actress finds herself with the responsibility of having to think about how to be desirable rather than thinking about what the character wants. »
A link between two obsessions
In this story of a 40-year-old intellectual who falls madly in love with a man from a more modest background, a little more “garroched” in his manners and his language, Monia Chokri also tackles a rarer subject in cinema. Quebecers: the difference between social classes and the prejudices that some have towards others.
“This film connects my two obsessions: the impossibility of love and the class struggle,” explained the filmmaker during the press meeting. “I was raised and brought up by very militant parents. It’s in my DNA. I felt like criticizing myself and putting myself in danger by asking myself questions. It’s all well and good to say that we’re on the left, that we’re open, that we’re campaigning for the environment and that we’re in favor of immigration, but in practice, are we able to dialogue with someone very different from us? »
Also supported by solid secondary characters (mention to the couple formed by Christine Beaulieu and Mathieu Baron!), Simple as Sylvain distills a very effective humor, but always remains within the limits of benevolence. Note also the contribution of the ace director of photography André Turpin.
Distributed by Immina Films, Simple as Sylvain hits theaters September 22 in Quebec.