Vincent Lindon & Audrey Dana Welcome Interview

Welcome Interview with Vincent Lindon

What spoke to you about WELCOME?

Vincent Lindon: I was immediately swept away when Philippe told me the story. I remember telling him at the end of aluncheon together that I would read the screenplay purely for the pleasure of it. I was already sure thatI wanted to make the film. Later, after having read it, I called to tell him just how much I was taken withthis very beautiful blend of roughness and tenderness, and that I was so impatient to start filming thatwe needed to get started right away.

What I like about Philippe's moviemaking is that he is able to take on very strong subject matters - inthis case the fate of refugees in Calais - without taking a head-on approach. He'd rather that you getattached to the characters, to their emotions, those of Simon and Bilal, because everything in the film isconnected: the smaller story and the larger picture. The drama is that much stronger for it.


Did Philippe Lioret talk to you about Simon?

Vincent Lindon: In just a few words. The fact is, we mostly spoke about minute details. The instinctive elements that makeup a character. During the shoot, we spoke for hours at the hotel bar - but not necessarily about the film.We spoke about life, women, our children, movies we liked...


How did you establish your character?

Vincent Lindon: Once again, I'm interested in the small details. In film, I think that clothes make the man. In the swimmingpool scenes, I focused on the way my sweatpants fell on my swimming instructor flip-flops. What'simportant to me is knowing whether the appearance of the guy I'm playing looks believable: the shoes,the whistle, the T-shirt, and a bit of a potbelly as well. Simon is a former professional swimme r who's puton weight since he's given up competition. So to become Simon, I gained weight in order to become thecharacter. Everything has to ring true, the characters, noises echoing at the municipal pool, everything.The psychology comes afterwards; first I tackle the form, the content comes later.


How did the beginning of filming go?

Vincent Lindon: One Saturday evening, having just barely arrived in Calais, Philippe took me to the "quai de la soupe" asoup kitchen where refugees go to eat. We passed by three refugees when leaving, and gave them a liftin our car. They were in a state of utter destitution, but they were all smiling. At their request, we droppedthem off in a deserted place that looked like an enormous dump - there wasn't a single living soul nor asingle dwelling around. Then without saying a word, Philippe dropped me off at my hotel. The situationspoke for itself. These were my very first moments in Calais, and I'd seen everything I needed to see. Westarted filming the very next day.


Philippe Lioret explains that you anticipated his requests.

Vincent Lindon: Good! It's all that I'm looking for in my work: move where the director wanted the character to movewhen writing the script, and stop at the exact place and moment when we both realize that it needs tobe done. When you can get to this level of understanding - and it's very rare to get there - we, both heand I know that it rings true.


Both your personalities could have ended up causing difficult conflicts.

Vincent Lindon: Absolutely. A lot of people who knew us both feared that there would be some kind of conflict. And it isexactly the opposite that happened: there was never the slightest moment of doubt or lack of confidencebetween us. It was as if we were meant to shoot this film together. Despite several missed opportunitieson other films, I always knew deep down that there would one day be this great bonding between us. Ihad the impression that I was meeting my twin.


How did it go on the shoot with Firat Ayverdi, who plays Bilal?

Vincent Lindon: I neither considered him to be a kid, nor an amateur. He was somewhat intimidated by me the first days,but then very quickly he relaxed, and in the end we were able to establish a sort of father-son rapport. Asa result, I had the feeling that I was just as protective of him on the set as Simon is with Bilal.

Welcome Interview with Audrey Dana

What brought about your decision to film WELCOME?

Audrey Dana: Every time I saw Philippe's work, I would say to myself: "here is a director I dream of working with." Hecame to one of the first screenings of Claude Lelouch's ROMAN DE GARE (Crossed Tracks), and he said hewas thinking about me for a future film... I didn't realize it was for his next film, by the way neither did he,because he had already thought of somebody else for the part. A bit of time passed during which I knew hewas thinking about it, but I still wasn't who he pictured. He thought I was too young to play Vincent's wife.And then as things happen, my name came up several times, so he decided to call me back and we met thefollowing day. I was a proud 30 when I sat down at the restaurant table and a few minutes later, he raisedhis glass to celebrate my 35th birthday and called me Marion.

It was when I read the screenplay for the first time, that I really allowed myself to be happy to have beenchosen for the part.


Do you feel close to the character of Marion?

Audrey Dana: The role wasn't easy for me, even if Philippe thought otherwise. Marion is a simple and understandingperson, but mostly she is very calm, composed, and very centered. She's an English teacher, she's politicallyengaged. I feel so much more edgy and neurotic, more complicated... Faced with this solid and wellbalancedgirl, I felt as though I was standing on the edge of a black hole. I have the impression that upuntil now this has been my most difficult role. Not mentioning that she has lived for ten years with a man.Ten years is a long time and I've never been in such a long relationship. So I had to learn everything, leaveeverything and let myself go... put aside all my reference points and bearings... Today, looking back, I lovedmeeting and becoming Marion... it was a lesson in humility.


How was it working with Philippe Lioret?

Audrey Dana: Philippe has one film in mind and not another. Nothing is approximate when he writes a screenplay. His workas a writer is already that of a director.

It's not always easy to follow because he is so precise that he doesn't always understand why everyonedoesn't see what he has in mind. But it's also so reassuring... He is completely in control and we know weare doing good work with him. That's it, with Philippe, we work. There's no fuss, work, nothing but work. Thefact that he is so demanding becomes contagious - everyone on the set is giving their all, experiencing theirmost important moments... I know that if people like the film, it's thanks to him; if they find the actors good,it's also thanks to him - but if they hate it, they can blame it on him as well. The film is all him.

I remember a night on the shoot where we had so much rehearsed the text and the staging that I felt as if Iwas entering into a type of trance. It was the first time I ever worked like that and it taught me a great deal.And now, I believe that I will never approach this profession in the same way.


And with Vincent Lindon?

Audrey Dana: Vincent Lindon is a kid on the set. Nothing else counts but the film, and everything counts for him, hisscenes, the other actors' scenes, the entire film. It is such a pleasure to work with an actor who is thatmuch involved in his work. Even if he's already made a number of films, even if he has a great experience,he's really a kid, with his share of fears and excitement. He shares everything; it feels like he accompaniedme during the film, that he held my hand. Today, now that I've seen WELCOME, it's my turn - I'd like toaccompany the film, to the end of the world if I have to, because I think it's an important film that deservesto be seen by as many people as possible. It talks about love against a social background, or the opposite,I'm not sure...

It gets close to all that is essential.

And isn't that what moviegoers look for when they go to the movies?


WELCOME [M]

The multi award-winning new film from writer/director Philippe Lioret, WELCOME is a compassionate and inspiring drama about the hope of new beginnings and the power of true love, centred on two couples contending with issues of separation and dislocation.

17-year-old Bilal (Firat Ayverdi) has spent the last three months travelling illegally across Europe, in an attempt to reunite with his girlfriend Mina (Derya Ayverdi) who has moved with her family to England. The long journey is almost over when he finally reaches Calais, on the far northern coast of France; he can literally see his destination from across the Channel. But with all legal options exhausted, Bilal resolves that his only option is to learn to swim, and make the dangerous crossing himself.

Bilal seeks the help of middle-aged swimming instructor Simon (Vincent Lindon), who is privately reeling from impending divorce from his socially-conscious wife Marion (Audrey Dana). In an effort to win her back, Simon impulsively - and uncharacteristically - risks everything by taking Bilal under his wing.

A huge critical and box office success in its native France, this profoundly moving masterwork was awarded the Ecumenical Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, named Best Film at the 2010 Lumiere Awards, and received an astonishing ten Cesar nominations including Best Film and Director.

An emotionally affecting story, WELCOME speaks not only of the most pressing social issues of the day, but of the indomitable nature of the human spirit.

In Cinemas April 1

www.welcomemovie.com.au


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