Five Facts About Micmacs
The Amelie director is back with his curiously-titled latest.
Fact #2: Jeunet Loves Dany Boon (Despite a Touch of Friendly Rivalry...)
"Dany has a childlike spirit," explains Jeunet of his leading man. "He's so funny, but he can also be very emotional. This role wasn't easy because he plays a character with a bullet lodged in his brain. Sometimes he has problems with the bullet and has to slap himself on the head. Of course, it's not easy to play that without looking ridiculous, but he can. Also, the film mixes slapstick comedy with the serious issue of weapon sellers and Dany can pull that off. Despite his huge success, he is still very polite and funny and never late. He doesn't act like a star."
As a successful director in his own right, however, Boon did bring out Jeunet's competitive side. "Dany got 21 million admissions for his film Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis in France, can you believe it? I am a little bit jealous. Amelie had only eight and half million admissions," Jeunet mock-frowns before raising an eyebrow. "But, in the rest of the world, Amelie is still the biggest success!"
Fact #3: Fans Should Savour Micmacs, As His Next Film Won't Be Any Time Soon
It has been six years since Jeunet's last film, the Oscar-nominated A Very Long Engagement. Admirable as it is to take his time, refusing to churn out films on demand, what on earth is taking so long? "I need time to find the right idea," he protests. "Right now I am reading a lot of books because I would like to make another adaptation. It's very difficult to find the right concept because I'm going to spend three years working on it. And I write the script myself, which is a big, big deal. Then you have to find the money, which is always a long process. It's also a long process to make the film because I am very picky and I pay attention to every detail." It's worth it in the end though, right?
James M. on 02-24-2010 04:51 AM
I saw this film at the Glasgow Film Festival and it was great. You should definitely give it a watch.