KINOPOD. WEEK-END A ZUYDCOOTE (Avec Francis Veber, Jeff Domenech et Jean Veber)

·38 min·3 clips

Francis Veber recalls meeting a young Jean-Paul Belmondo on set, offering a radio drama to the rising star.

The episode begins with host Jean Veber and co-host Jeff Domenech introducing the film 'Weekend at Zuydcoote', set during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Francis Veber shares a personal anecdote about meeting a young Jean-Paul Belmondo on set, where he offered him a radio drama. The hosts discuss the film's source material, Robert Merle's 1949 Goncourt-winning novel, and the challenges of adapting literature to cinema, referencing François Truffaut's view that adaptations are more difficult than original films. They examine Belmondo's role as Sergeant Julien Maillat, noting his naturalistic performance before he became a major star, and how his character is driven by morality rather than action. The conversation shifts to the supporting cast, including Pierre Mondy's opportunistic soldier and Catherine Spaak's enigmatic civilian character. Production details are explored, such as the use of only 14 cars moved to simulate a larger army and Maurice Jarre's military-inspired score. Comparisons are made to other war films like 'Full Metal Jacket' and 'Dunkirk', emphasizing the film's focus on ordinary soldiers rather than heroics. The hosts analyze specific scenes, like Belmondo carrying a bomb and the death of François Périer's character, and discuss the film's critical reception and Belmondo's own affection for it. They touch on the film's themes of absurdity in war and its place in Belmondo's career, contrasting his early dramatic roles with later action-star persona. The episode concludes with recommendations to watch the film and closing catchphrases from each host.

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