For more than fifty years, French actor, screenwriter, and film director Michel Blanc (b. 1952) has been one of the most productive artists in French cinema. If you look at his entire body of work, he belongs to the pantheon of actors in French cinema, but he doesn’t consider himself a star, nor does he want to be treated as such. That makes him all the more accessible and a joy to talk to.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with him for a one-on-one interview during the Love International Film Festival Mons where Mr. Blanc was invited as the Festival’s guest of honor. When he entered the room in the hotel in Mons where the Festival had its headquarters and where I was waiting for him until he had finished his previous interview, he took off his coat as he came in, put it aside, and said, ‘Well, hello there! Where do you want me to sit?’ You felt right away that Mr. Blanc is very modest and down-to-earth, no matter how impressive his accomplishments and achievements are.

He’s no stranger to comedy or drama. After playing small parts in various films during the 1970s, “Les Bronzés” (1978, a.k.a. “French Fried Vacation”) put him on the map as the film became a cult comedy in French cinema. The original concept for the film, as well as its screenplay, was written by the café-théâtre company Le Splendid which Mr. Blanc co-founded with three of his childhood friends, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot and Thierry Lhermitte; later, they were joined by Josiane Balasko and Marie-Anne Chazel, among others. Le Splendid’s café-théâtre was—and still is—located on 48 Rue du Faubourg, Saint-Martin, in Paris. Actress Anémone also joined the company on stage and in films.

“Les Bronzés” was followed by two highly successful sequels, “Les Bronzés font du ski” (1979, a.k.a. “French Fried Vacation 2”) and “Les Bronzés: Amis pour la vie” (2006, a.k.a. “French Fried Vacation 3”), but that didn’t mean that Mr. Blanc only excelled in comedy. Over the years, the seven-time César nominee and two-time winner at the Cannes Film Festival (as Best Actor for his performance in “Tenue de soirée” in 1986, and for his screenplay “Grosse fatigue” in 1994) proved to be very skilled in drama too, making him—to this very day—one of the most versatile and most reliable performers of his generation.

He occasionally appears in English-language films as well and has starred opposite Jerry Lewis, Bob Hoskins, Jeff Goldblum, Natasha Richardson, and Helen Mirren.

After we finsihed this interview, he introduced one of his screen classics “Tenue de soirée” at the Festival; this film was the second of six films he made with Gérard Depardieu.

Mr. Blanc, you will introduce “Tenue de soirée” later today at the Festival. Is it one of your favorite films?

It has been a significant film in my career, that’s why I chose it. I like it a lot—there are a few others I also really like—but “Tenue de soirée” has changed my career. The film was selected at the Cannes Film Festival, and I was the recipient of the Best Actor award at the Festival. All at once, I had become an actor who was interesting enough for film directors known for their cinéma d’auteur. Earlier, I was primarily known as this comedy actor from the Comédie française and from the café-théâtre, and even though that seemed to work fine, I thought I would be stuck with the type of roles and characters that I had been playing for quite some time. So “Tenue de soirée” has changed a lot for me, and because of that film, I got many different offers. Two years later, I did “Monsieur Hire,” and other projects followed. On top of that, “Tenue de soirée” is also one of the most powerful films I ever did.

“Tenue de soirée” (1986, trailer)

You just mentioned the cinéma d’auteur. France has always been one of the most cinephile countries in the world, and that’s also where the cinéma d’auteur originated. That’s no coincidence, I suppose? 

It depends on where the cinéma d’auteur starts for you. When I was young, I watched a lot of old and pre-War II movies on television, films that Julien Duvivier and his contemporaries had made. Those films really surprised me; occasionally, I saw a film and thought, ‘Mon Dieu, that’s simply amazing.’ And that era already marked the foundation of the cinéma d’auteur; it was not necessary to wait for the Nouvelle Vague [New Wave] to come up with the term cinéma d’auteur. Besides, I think the Nouvelle Vague ended Julien Duvivier’s career prematurely because of Les Cahiers du Cinéma. Also, I don’t think Claude Chabrol is that remarkable; I have worked with him once [“Le cheval d’orgeuil,” 1980, a.k.a. “The Horse of Pride”], and to me, his work is not that outstanding. I prefer to watch one reel of a Duvivier film instead of a film by Claude Chabrol. But, of course, there was also François Truffaut or Jean-Luc Godard who once said, ‘Je ne fais pas de film, je fais du cinéma’; that gave him enough space to experiment. It made him an original filmmaker. But as far as the others are concerned, their work doesn’t really affect me.

Did those old movies greatly influence you during your formative years?

I was very fortunate to be introduced to that culture cinématographique. In the early 1960s, you could watch all the masterpieces on television, and I almost grew up with all those great actors. And once you start acting yourself, you won’t imitate Louis Jouvet or Michel Simon, but you have seen their work and are familiar with them. For me, it’s an advantage to know their films. On the other hand, some actors never had the opportunity to explore what film history has to offer, nor did they ever go to drama school, and they do everything their own way—and it works beautifully. Those actors got une nature, but since they lack this historical background or this foundation, it might be more difficult for them to stay in the limelight for a long time. They don’t have any technical know-how, and since things might come too easy for them, there’s no need to do any research or work on their craft. I studied acting for three years before I started working at the café-théâtre. I did Molière and Shakespeare—all their plays force you to create your character or work in a foreign language you’re not familiar with. That defines you as an actor; that’s a great way to learn your craft.

Is it correct to say that as an actor and a filmmaker, you always have a lot of empathy for your characters?

Yes, I think so. I once played a thug—un salaud complet—who was a villain in the harbor of Cherbourg and who managed all kinds of trafficking. It was a small part, but I played it because I had never done anything like that before. So I was interested to see how it played out and how I could portray such a character. Very often, I like to play characters that touch me one way or the other. That makes it interesting, especially if the part is well-written and the film director knows what he’s doing.

You don’t write too many screenplays, but is that something you also keep in mind when you work on a script?

I don’t write that much for me anymore. After “Mauvaise passe” [1999, a.k.a. “The Escort”] for Daniel Auteuil—that film was shot in England and I did not appear in that film—I did “Embrassez qui vous voudrez” [2002, a.k.a. “Summer Things”]. I only played a small part in that film because I wanted to concentrate more on directing the film rather than thinking about playing a character.

Could you elaborate on your working method as a director?

Before I shoot a scene, I know pretty well what I will do and what it will look like. Then the actors and I talk about it, and we see what they can add to their performances and to the scene. Very often, they amaze me with the ideas they come up with. That makes directing a real treat.

How do you explain that after almost fifty years, you’re still going strong as a film actor?

I have no idea [laughs]. I am fortunate that people have asked me to play interesting characters and that I had the possibility—or the talent, whatever that may be—to portray them. So it’s a mixture. It gets you nowhere if you’re very lucky but don’t know how to play your character. And if you’re an incredible actor who only gets small or insignificant roles, you’re also stuck. In the end, it’s a combination of circumstances—and luck. That’s how I would describe it.

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” (2014, trailer)

Did you ever pursue a career in Hollywood?

I never had to consider that. That was entirely up to them, and they didn’t ask me [laughs]. I played a small part in “The Hundred-Foot Journey” [2014], an American film starring Helen Mirren, that was shot in France. The character I played was a caricature—a Frenchman who only thinks of food. Earlier, I also worked with Jeff Goldblum, Natasha Richardson, and Bob Hoskins [“The Favor, The Watch and the Very Big Fish,” 1991], but I didn’t get any offers. When I think of the French actors who get job offers from Hollywood, they have something that I don’t. But I don’t regret it; besides, I am more fascinated by British cinema than American cinema, unless you talk about people like John Cassavetes. That is very important cinema. And if you even go further back in time, with Ernst Lubitsch, he made “To Be or Not to Be” [1942], the best comedy ever. I once worked with Robert Altman, “Pret-à-Porter” [1994, a.k.a. “Ready to Wear”], which was his worst film. I didn’t care for the character I played, but I said ‘Yes’ right away when he asked me, ‘Would you like to appear in my next film?’ So that is not my best souvenir in film, but do I regret that? Not really; it would be nice if I could say, ‘I have a career in Hollywood,’ but since I don’t, it doesn’t keep me awake at night.

Love International Film Festival Mons, Mons
March 17, 2023

“To Be or Not to Be” (1942, trailer)

FILMS

LES FILLES DE MALEMORT (1974) DIR – PROD Daniel Baërt SCR Daniel Baërt, Jacques Valois CAM Georges Strouvé ED Noëlle Balenci MUS Vladimir Cosma CAST Pierre Forget, Christian Duroc, Marie-Hélène Règne, Catherine Laborde, Claudia Coste, Michel Blanc

QUE LA FÊTE COMMENCE…, a.k.a. LET JOY REIGN SUPREME (1975) DIR Bertrand Tavernier PROD Michelle de Broca SCR Bertrand Tavernier, Jean Aurenche CAM Pierre-William Glenn ED Armand Psenny MUS Philippe d’Orléans CAST Philippe Noiret, Jean Rochefort, Jean-Pierre Mareille, Christine Pascal, Alfred Adam, Jean-Roger Caussimon, Gérard Desarthe, Nicole Garcia, Marina Vlady, Michel Blanc (Valet of Louis XV), Thierry Lhermitte, Marcel Dalio, Gérard Jugnot, Christian Clavier

ATTENTION LES YEUX!, a.k.a. LET’S MAKE A DIRTY MOVIE (1976) DIR Gérard Pirès PROD Pierre Braunberger SCR Nicole de Buron (adaptation by Gérard Pirès) CAM Michael Seresin ED Jacques Witta MUS Guy Marchand CAST Claude Brasseur, Robert Castel, Nathalie Courval, Jean-Pierre Darras, Guy Marchand, Serge Marquand, André Pousse, Anémone, Daniel Auteuil, Michel Blanc (Cop), Thierry Lhermitte, Christian Clavier

LA MEILLEURE FAÇON DE MARCHER…, a.k.a. THE BEST WAY TO WALK and THE BEST WAY (1976) DIR Claude Miller PROD Jean Gontier SCR Claude Miller (adaptation by Claude Miller, Luc Béraud) CAM Bruno Nuytten ED Jean-Bernard Bonis MUS  CAST Patrick Dewaere, Patrick Bouchitey, Christine Pascal, Claude Piéplu, Marc Chapiteau, Michel Blanc (Deloux), Michel Such, Frank D’Ascanio

JE T’AIME MOI NON PLUS, a.k.a. I LOVE YOU, I DON’T (1976) DIR – SCR – MUS Serge Gainsbourg PROD Jacques-Eric Strauss CAM Willy Kurant ED Kenout Peltier CAST Jane Birkin, Joe Dallesandro, Hughes Quester, Reinhard Kolldehoff, Jimmy Davis, Maïté Nahyr, Michel Blanc (Workman), Gérard Depardieu

L’ORDINATEUR DES POMPES FUNÈRBES, a.k.a. THE PROBABILITY FACTOR (1976) DIR Gérard Pirès PROD Roland Girard, Jean Bolvary, Raymond Danon SCR (adaption by Gérard Pirès, Jean-Patrick Manchette; novel by Walter Kempley) CAM Michael Seresin ED Jacques Witta MUS Claude Bolling CAST Jean-Louis Trintignant, Mirelle Darc, Bernadette Lafont, Lea Massari, Claude Piéplu, Claudia Marsani, Bernard Fresson, Anémone, Michel Blanc (Choukroun), Claude Miller

LE LOCATAIRE, a.k.a. THE TENANT (1976) DIR Roman Polanski PROD Andrew Braunsberg SCR Roman Polanski, Gérard Brach (novel “Le locataire” by Roland Topor) CAM Sven Nykvist ED Françoise Bonnot MUS Philippe Sarde CAST Isabelle Adjani, Melvyn Douglas, Jo Van Fleet, Roman Polanski, Shelley Winters, Bernard Fresson, Lila Kedrova, Claude Dauphin, Claude Piéplu, Rufus, Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc (Scope’s Neighbor), Gérard Jugnot, Alain Sarde, Philippe Sarde

ON AURA TOUT VU!, a.k.a. NOW WE’VE SEEN IT ALL! (1976) DIR Georges Lautner PROD Alain Poiré SCR Francis Veber CAM Maurice Fellous ED Michelle David MUS Philippe Sarde CAST Pierre Richard, Miou-Miou, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Renée Saint-Cyr, Gérard Jugnot, Sabine Azéma, Gérard Chambre, Arlette Emmery, Michel Blanc, Thierry Lhermitte

LE DIABLE DANS LA BOÎTE, a.k.a. THE DEVIL IN THE BOX (1977) DIR Pierre Lary PROD Mag Bodard SCR Pierre Lary, Jean-Claude Carrière, Huguette Debaisieux CAM Sacha Vierny ED Michel Bienvenu MUS Jean-Claude Dequéant CAST Jean Rochefort, Dominique Labourier, Michael Lonsdale, Anouk Ferjac, Micheline Presle, Alexandre Rignault, Michel Blanc, Thierry Lhermitte, Christian Clavier

DES ENFANTS GÂTÉS, a.k.a. SPOILED CHILDREN (1977) DIR Bertrand Tavernier PROD Michel Piccoli SCR Bertrand Tavernier, Christine Pascal, Charlotte Dubreuil CAM Alain Levant ED Armand Psenny MUS Philippe Sarde CAST Michel Piccoli, Christine Pascal, Michel Aumont, Gérard Jugnot, Arlette Bonnard, Liza Braconnier, Thierry Lhermitte, Michel Blanc (Young Man at the Agency), Isabelle Huppert, Christian Clavier

VOUS N’AUREZ PAS L’ALSACE ET LA LORRAINE, a.k.a. YOU WON’T HAVE ALSACE-LORRAINE (1977) DIR – SCR Coluche PROD Claude Hauser CAM Claude Agostini ED Armand Psenny, Kenout Peltier MUS Jeff Jordan CAST Coluche, Gérard Lanvin, Anémone, Dominique Lavanant, Gérard Jugnot, Martin Lamotte, Michel Blanc (Antremont), Philippe Bruneau, Roland Giraud, Thierry Lhermitte

LE POINT DE MIRE, a.k.a. FOCAL POINT (1977) DIR Jean-Claude Tramont SCR Jean-Claude Tramont, Gérard Brach (novel “Le photographe” by Pierre Boulle) CAM Henri Decaë ED Kenout Peltier MUS Georges Delerue CAST Annie Girardot, Jacques Dutronc, Claude Dauphin, Jean Bouise, Michel Robin, Philippe Rouleau, Jean-Claude Brialy, Michel Blanc (Cop), Denise Provence, Paul Crachet, Catherine Mongodin

LE BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU EST ARRIVÉ, a.k.a. THE NEW BEAUJOLAIS WINE HAS ARRIVED… (1978) DIR Jean-Luc Voufow PROD Michel Seydoux, Serge Laski SCR Jean-Luc Voufow, Marco Pico (novel “Le beaujolais nouveau est arrivé” [1975] by René Fallet) CAM Jean-Paul Schwartz ED Armand Psenny MUS Carlo Rusticelli CAST Jean Carmet, Michel Galabru, Rabah Loucif, Pierre Mondy, Pierre Bertin, Pascale Roberts, Michel Blanc (Captain’s Son)

CHAUSSETTE SURPRISE, a.k.a. SURPRISE SOCK (1978) DIR – PROD Jean-François Davy SCR Jean-François Davy, Jean-Claude Carrière CAM Jacques Guérin ED Thierry Derocles MUS Marie-Paule Belle CAST Bernadette Lafont, Anna Karina, Christine Pascal, Rufus, Bernard Le Coq, Bernard Haller, Michel Galabru, Agnes Soral, Claude Piéplu, Marcel Dalio, Jean-Claude Carrière, Michel Blanc (Intern)

LES HÉROS N’ONT PAS FROID AUX OREILLES, a.k.a. HEROES ARE NOT WET BEHIND THE EARS (1978) DIR Charles Nemes PROD Georges V. Nemes SCR Charles Nemes, Gérard Jugnot CAM Étienne Fauduet ED Marie-Sophie Dubus MUS Jacques Delaporte CAST Gérard Jugnot, Anne Jousset, Daniel Auteuil, Henry Guybet, Patricia Karim, Roland Giraud, Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc (Passerby), Thierry Lhermitte, Christian Clavier

LA TORTUE SUR LE DOS, a.k.a. LIKE A TURTLE ON ITS BACK (1978) DIR Luc Béraud PROD Luc Béraud, Hubert Niogret SCR Luc Béraud, Claude Miller CAM Bruno Nuytten ED Joële Van Effenterre MUS Maurice Jarre, Antoine Duhamel CAST Bernadette Lafont, Jean-François Stévenin, Virginie Thévenet, Sandy Whitelaw, Marion Game, Valérie Quennessen, Poussine Mercanton, Michel Blanc, Christian Clavier

LES BRONZÉS, a.k.a. FRENCH FRIED VACATION (1978) DIR Patrice Leconte PROD Yves Rousset-Rouard SCR L’Équipe du Splendid [Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc, Anne-Marie Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Dominique Lavanant, Thierry Lhermitte, Bruno Moynot] CAM Jean-François Robin ED Noëlle Boisson MUS Michel Bernholc CAST Josiane Balasko, Luis Rego, Marie-Anne Chazel, Michel Blanc (Jean-Claude Dusse), Martin Lamotte, Bruno Moynot, Gérard Jugnot, Michel Creton, Thierry Lhermitte, Dominique Lavanant, Christian Clavier, Patrice Leconte

CAUSE TOUJOURS… TU M’INTÉRESSES! (1979) DIR Édouard Molinaro PROD Albina du Boisrouvay SCR Francis Veber (novel by Peter Marks) CAM Gérard Hameline MUS Vladimir Cosma ED Monique Isnardon CAST Annie Girardot, Jean-Pierre Mareille, Christian Marquand, Brigitte Roüan, Umbañ U Kset, Pierre Vernier, Michel Blanc (Cop)

LES BRONZÉS FONT DU SKI, a.k.a. FRENCH FRIED VACATION 2 (1979) DIR Patrice Leconte PROD Yves Rousset-Rouard SCR Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc, Anne-Marie Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Dominique Lavanant, Thierry Lhermitte, Bruno Moynot CAM Jean-François Robin ED Noëlle Boisson MUS Pierre Bachelet CAST Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc (Jean-Claude Dus), Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Dominique Lavanant, Thierry Lhermitte, Bruno Moynot, Maurice Chevit

LA GUEULE DE L’AUTRE, a.k.a. THE OTHER ONE’S MUG (1979) DIR Pierre Tchernia PROD – SCR Jean Poirot CAM René Mathelin ED Nicole Gauduchon MUS Claude Bolling CAST Jean Poirot, Michel Serrault, Curd Jürgens, Georges Géret, Roger Carel, Michel Blanc (Taboureau), Marco Perrin, Marcelle Ranson-Hervé, Lily Fayol, Dominique Lavanant, Bernadette Lafont

L’ADOLESCENTE, a.k.a. THE ADOLESCENT (1979) DIR Jeanne Moreau PROD Philippe Dussart, Tarak Ben Ammar SCR Jeanne Moreau, Henriette Jelenik CAM Pierre Gautard ED Colette Leloup, Albert Jurgenson MUS Philippe Sarde CAST Edith Clever, Francis Huster, Jacques Weber, Laetitia Chauveau, Simone Signoret, Roger Blin, Frank Muth, Maurice Baquet, Jean-François Balmer, Hugues Quester, Michel Blanc (Bertin), Nadine Basile, Bérangère Bonvoisin

RIEN NE VA PLUS, a.k.a. OUT OF WHACK (1979) DIR Jean-Michel Ribes PROD Ariel Zeitoun SCR Jean-Michel Ribes, Philippe Khorsand (adaptation by Jean-Michel Ribes, Philippe Khorsand) CAM Bernard Zitzermann ED Jacques Witta MUS Michel Rivard CAST Jacques Villeret, Patrick Chesnais, Éva Darlan, Philippe Khorsand, Roland Blanche, Micheline Presle, Tonie Marshall, Michel Blanc (Marcel Dupain), Jacques François, Daniel Prévost, Anémone

LE CHEVAL D’ORGEUIL, a.k.a. THE HORSE OF PRIDE (1980) DIR Claude Chabrol PROD Georges de Beauregard SCR (adaptation by Claude Chabrol, Daniel Boulanger; book by Pierre-Jakez Hélias) CAM Jean Rabier ED Monique Fardoulis MUS Pierre Jansen CAST Jacques Dufilho, Bernadette La Saché, François Cluzet, Paul Le Person, Pierre Le Rumeur, Michel Robin, Dominique Lavanant, Michel Blanc (Corentin Calvez)

VIENS CHEZ MOI, J’HABITE CHEZ UNE COPINE (1981) DIR Patrice Leconte SCR (adaptation by Michel Blanc, Patrice Leconte; play by Luis Rego, Didier Kaminka) CAM Bernard Zitzermann ED Jacqueline Thiédot MUS Ranaud CAST Michel Blanc (Guy), Bernard Giraudeau, Thérèse Liotard, Anémone, Sylvie Granotier, Marie-Anne Chazel, Béatrice Constantini,

MA FEMME S’APPELLE REVIENS (1982) DIR Patrice Leconte SCR Michel Blanc, Joe Morheim, Patrice Leconte (novel by Joe Morheim) CAM Robert Fraisse ED Jacqueline Thiédot MUS William Sheller CAST Michel Blanc (Bernard Fizet), Anémone, Xavier Saint-Macary, Catherine Gandios, Pascale Rocard, Christophe Malavoy

LE PÈRE NOËL EST UNE ORDURE, a.k.a. SANTA CLAUS IS A STINKER (1982) DIR Jean-Marie Poiré PROD Yves Rousset-Rouard SCR Jean-Marie Poiré, Josiane Balasko, Anne-Marie Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Bruno Moynot CAM Robert Alazraki ED Catherine Kelber MUS Vladimir Cosma CAST Anémone, Josiane Balasko, Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Bruno Moynot, Michel Blanc (Voice on the Telephone)

CIRCULEZ Y A RIEN À VOIR!, a.k.a. MOVE ALONG, THERE IS NOTHING TO SEE (1983) DIR Patrice Leconte PROD Bernard Artigues, Christian Fechner SCR Patrice Leconte, Martin Veyron CAM Robert Fraisse ED Joëlle Hache MUS Ramon Pipin, Jean-Philippe Goude CAST Jane Birkin, Michel Blanc (Leroux), Jacques Villeret, Michel Robbe, Dominique Faysse, Gaëlle Legrand, Luis Rego, Alan Adair, Martin Lamotte

PAPY FAIT DE LA RÉSISTANCE, a.k.a. GRAMPS IS IN THE RESISTANCE (1983) DIR Jean-Marie Poiré PROD Christian Fechner SCR Jean-Marie Poiré, Christian Clavier, Martin Lamotte (story by Christian Clavier, Martin Lamotte) CAM Robert Alazraki ED Catherine Kelber MUS Jean Musy CAST Christian Clavier, Michel Galabru, Gérard Jugnot, Martin Lamotte, Dominique Lavanant, Jacqueline Maillan, Jacques Villeret, Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc (Leboeuf), Jean-Claude Brialy, Jean Carmet, Bernard Giraudeau, Thierry Lhermitte, Jean Yanne

RETENEZ MOI… OU JE FAIS UN MALHEUR!, a.k.a. TO CATCH A COP (1984) DIR Michel Gérard SCR Michel Gérard (adaptation by Michel Gérard, David Milhaud) CAM Jean Monsigny ED Gérard Le Du MUS Vladimir Cosma CAST Jerry Lewis, Michel Blanc (Laurent Martin), Charlotte de Turkheim, Maurice Risch, Laura Betti, Michel Peyrelon, Gérard Hérold, Mylène Demongeot

MARCHE À L’OMBRE (1984) DIR Michel Blanc PROD Bernard Artigues, Christian Fechner SCR Michel Blanc, Patrick Dewolf CAM Eduardo Serra ED Joëlle Hache MUS Jacques Delaporte, Xalam CAST Michel Blanc (Denis), Gérard Lanvin, Sophie Duez, Katrine Boorman, Mimi Félixine, Béatrice Camurat, Pierre Forget, Patrice Leconte

NEMO (1984) DIR Arnaud Sélignac PROD John Boorman, Claude Nedjar SCR Arnaud Sélignac, Telsche Boorman, Jean-Pierre Esquenazi CAM Philippe Rousselot ED Tom Priestley MUS Gabriel Yared CAST Harvey Keitel, Jason Connery, Mathilda May, Carole Bouquet, Michel Blanc (Boris), Katrine Boorman, Dominique Pinon, Charley Boorman

DRÔLE DE SAMEDI (1985) DIR Bay Okan [Tunç Okan] PROD Bay Okan [Tunç Okan], Francis von Buren SCR Bay Okan [Tunç Okan] (short story “Die Wurst” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt) CAM Ramón F. Suárez ED Bay Okan [Tunç Okan], Charles Bonvin MUS Vladimir Cosma CAST Tunç Okan, Carole Laure, Michel Blanc (Student), Francis Huster, Jacques Villeret, Catherine Alric, Jean-Luc Bideau, Bay Okan [Tunç Okan]

LES SPECIALISTES, a.k.a. THE SPECIALISTS (1985) DIR Patrice Leconte PROD Bernard Artigues SCR Michel Blanc, Patrice Leconte, Patrick Dewolf, Bruno Tardon CAM Eduardo Serra ED Joëlle Hache MUS Éric Demarsan CAST Bernard Giraudeau, Gérard Lanvin, Christiane Jean, Maurice Barrier, Daniel Jégou, Bertie Cortez

TENUE DE SOIRÉE (1986) DIR – SCR Bertrand Blier PROD René Cleitman CAM Jean Penzer ED Claudine Merlin MUS Serge Gainsbourg CAST Gérard Depardieu, Michel Blanc (Antoine), Miou-Miou, Michel Creton, Jean-François Stévenin, Mylène Demongeot, Caroline Silhol, Jean-Yves Berteloot, Bruno Cremer

JE HAIS LES ACTEURS, a.k.a. I HATE ACTORS (1986) DIR Gérard Krawczyk PROD Jean Nainchrik SCR Gérard Krawczyk (adaptation by Gérard Krawczyk; novel “I Hate Actors” [1944] by Ben Hecht) CAM Michel Cénet ED Marie-Josèphe Yoyotte MUS Roland Vincent CAST Michel Blanc (Monsieur Albert), Bernard Blier, Michel Galabru, Pauline Lafont, Patrick Floersheim, Dominique Lavanant, Sophie Duez, Guy Marchand, Wojtek Pszoniak, Jean-François Stévenin, Claude Chabrol, Gérard Depardieu

LES FUGITIFS, a.k.a. THE FUGITIVES (1986) DIR – SCR Francis Veber PROD Jean-José Richer CAM Luciano Tovoli ED Marie-Sophie Dubus MUS Vladimir Cosma CAST Gérard Depardieu, Pierre Richard, Jean Carmet, Maurice Barrier, Jean Benguigui, Roland Blanche, Anaïs Bret, Philippe Lelièvre, Michel Blanc (Doctor Bourdarias [uncredited])

UNE NUIT À L’ASSEMBLÉE NATIONALE (1988) DIR – PROD Jean-Pierre Mocky SCR Jean-Pierre Mocky, Patrick Rambaud CAM Marcel Combes ED Jean-Pierre Mocky, Hélène Sicard, Marielle Guichard, Sophie Moyse MUS Gabriel Yared CAST Jean Poiret, Michel Blanc (Walter Arbeit), Jacqueline Maillan, Isabelle Mergault, Jean Abeillé, Julien Verdier, Dominique Zardi, Bernadette Lafont, Josiane Balasko

SANS PEUR ET SANS REPROCHE, a.k.a. WITHOUT FEAR OR BLAME (1988) DIR Gérard Jugnot PROD António de Chunha Telles SCR Gérard Jugnot, Christian Biegalski, Jean-Bernard Pouy CAM Gérard de Battista ED Catherine Kelber MUS Yves de Bujadoux CAST Gérard Jugnot, Rémi Martin, Roland Giraud, Victoria Abril, Ann-Gisel Glass, Ticky Holgado, Martin Lamotte, Anémone, Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc (The Surgeon)

MONSIEUR HIRE (1989) DIR Patrice Leconte PROD Philippe Carcassonne, René Cleitman SCR Patrice Laconte, Patrick Dewolf (short novel “Les fiançailles de M. Hire” by Georges Simenon) CAM Denis Lenoir ED Joëlle Hache MUS Michael Nyman CAST Michel Blanc (Monsieur Hire), Sandrine Bonnaire, Luc Thuillier, André Wilms, Eric Bérenger, Marielle Berthon, Philippe Dormoy

CHAMBRE À PART (1989) DIR – SCR Jacky Cukier CAM Yves Angelo ED Anne Lafarge MUS Philippe Sarde CAST Michel Blanc (Martin), Jacques Dutronc, Lio, Frances Barber, Engelbert Humperdinck, Catherine Frot, Christine Murillo, Nicolas Asken, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Peter Moffatt, Lollie May

STRIKE IT RICH (1990) DIR James Scott PROD Graham Easton, Christine Oestreicher SCR James Scott (novella “Loser Takes All” [1955] by Graham Greene) CAM Robert Paynter MUS Shirley Walker CAST Robert Lindsay, Molly Ringwald, John Gielgud, Marianne Price, Jeffrey Robert, Willy Ross, Harriet Reynolds, Michel Blanc (Hotel Manager)

URANUS (1990) DIR Claude Berri SCR Claude Berri, Arlette Langmann (novel “Uranus” [1948] by Marcel Aymé) CAM Renato Berta ED Hervé de Luze MUS Jean-Claude Petit CAST Michel Blanc (René Gaigneux), Gérard Depardieu, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Philippe Noiret, Gérard Desarthe, Michel Galabru, Daniele Lebrun, Fabrice Luchini, Daniel Prévost

MERCI LA VIE (1991) DIR – SCR Bertrand Blier PROD Jean-Louis Livi CAM Philippe Rousselot ED Claudine Merlin CAST Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anouk Grinberg, Michel Blanc (Raymond Pelleveau), Jean Carmet, Annie Girardot, Catherine Jacob, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Thierry Frémont, Gérard Depardieu, François Perrot, Anouk Ferjac

LES SECRETS PROFESSIONNELS DU DOCTEUR APFELGLUCK, a.k.a. THE PROFESSIONAL SECRETS OF DR. APFELGLUCK (1991) DIR Alessandro Capone, Stéphane Clavier, Mathias Ledoux, Thierry Lhermitte, Hervé Palud PROD Thierry Lhermitte, Alain Clert, Claudio Bonivento, Louis Becker SCR Thierry Lhermitte, Philippe Bruneau CAM Claude Agostini, Jean-Jacques Tarbès, Roberto Girometti, Gérard Sterin ED Sophie Schmit MUS Jacques Delaporte, Laurent de Gaspéris CAST Jacques Villeret, Micha Bayard, Ticky Holgado, Claire Nadeau, Martin Lamotte, Charlotte de Turckheim, Philippe Bruneau, Thierry Lhermitte, Gérard Jugnot, Christian Clavier, Michel Blanc (The Hindu), Josiane Balasko, Jean Yanne

THE FAVOR, THE WATCH AND THE VERY BIG FISH (1991) DIR Ben Lewin PROD Michelle de Broca SCR Ben Lewin (short story by Marcel Aymé) CAM Bernard Zitzermann ED John Grover MUS Vladimir Cosma CAST Jeff Goldblum, Bob Hoskins, Natasha Richardson, Michel Blanc (Norbert), Jacques Villeret, Angela Pleasence, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Samuel Chaimovitch, Sacha Vikouloff, Claudine Mavros

PROSPERO’S BOOKS (1991) DIR Peter Greenaway PROD Kees Kasander SCR Peter Greenaway (play “The Tempest” [ca 1610] by William Shakespeare) CAM Sacha Vierny ED Marina Bodbijl MUS Michael Nyman CAST John Gielgud, Michael Clark, Michel Blanc (Alonso), Erland Josephson, Isabelle Pasco, Tom Bell

TOXIC AFFAIR (1993) DIR Philomène Esposito PROD Michel Seydoux SCR Philomène Esposito, Antoine Lacomblez CAM Pierre Lhomme ED Noëlle Boisson MUS Goran Bregovic CAST Isabelle Adjani, Clémentine Célarié, Sergio Castillitto, Hippolyte Girardot, Fabrice Luchini, Michel Blanc (Suicidal Man), Michel Seydoux

GROSSE FATIGUE, a.k.a. DEAD TIRED (1994) DIR Michel Blanc PROD Daniel Toscan du Plantier SCR Michel Blanc (original idea from Bertrand Blier) CAM Eduardo Serra ED Maryline Monthieux MUS René-Marc Bini CAST Michel Blanc (Michel Blanc/Patrick Olivier), Carole Bouquet, Philippe Noiret, Josiane Balasko, Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Clavier, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Gérard Jugnot, Dominique Lavanant, Thierry Lhermitte, Mathilde May, Roman Polanski

IL MOSTRO, a.k.a. THE MONSTER (1994) DIR Roberto Benigni PROD Roberto Benigni, Yves Attal, Luigi De Laurentiis Jr., Aurelio De Laurentiis, Frédérique Dumas-Zajdela, Guy Verrecchia, Denis Offrey, Yves Marmion, Pierre Lescure, Jérôme Clément SCR Roberto Benigni (story by Roberto Benigni, Vincenzo Cerami; French-language adaptation by Michel Blanc) CAM Carlo Di Palma ED Franco Fraticelli, Nino Baragli MUS Evan Lurie CAST Roberto Benigni, Michel Blanc (Paride Taccone), Nicoletta Braschi, Dominique Lavanant, Jean-Claude Brialy, Laurent Spielvogel, Ivano Marescotti

PRÊT-À-PORTER, a.k.a. READY TO WEAR (1994) DIR – PROD Robert Altman SCR Robert Altman, Barbara Shulgasser CAM Pierre Mignot, Jean Lépine ED Geraldine Peroni, Suzy Elmiger MUS Michel Legrand CAST Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Julia Roberts, Tim Robbins, Kim Basinger, Stephen Rea, Anouk Aimée, Lauren Bacall, Lily Taylor, Sally Kellerman, Tracey Ullman, Linda Hunt, Rupert Everett, Forest Whitaker, Richard E. Grant, Danny Aiello, Teri Garr, Lyle Lovett, Jean Rochefort, Michel Blanc (Inspector Forget), Jean-Pierre Cassel, Chiara Mastroianni, Sam Robards, Harry Belafonte, Cher, Björk, Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, David Copperfield, Claudia Schiffer

LES GRANDS DUCS, a.k.a. THE GRAND DUKES (1996) DIR Patrice Leconte PROD Thierry de Ganay SCR Patrice Leconte, Serge Frydman CAM Eduardo Serra ED Joëlle Hache MUS Jean-Claude Nachon, Angélique Nachon CAST Jean-Pierre Mareille, Philippe Noiret, Jean Rochefort, Catherine Jacob, Michel Blanc (Shapiron), Clotilde Courau, Pierre-Arnaud Juin, Jacques Mathou

MAUVAISE PASSE, a.k.a. THE ESCORT (1999) DIR Michel Blanc PROD Claude Berri SCR Michel Blanc (adaptation by Nick Love) CAM Barry Ackroyd ED Maryline Monthieux MUS Barry Adamson CAST Daniel Auteuil, Julie Wilson Nimmo, Luisa Bradshaw-White, Michelle Gomez, Jack Pierce, Stuart Townsend, Kriss Dosanjh, Ben Drake, Lee Williams

EMBRASSEZ QUI VOUS VOUDREZ, a.k.a. SUMMER THINGS (2002) DIR Michel Blanc PROD Yves Marmion SCR Michel Blanc (book “Summer Things” [1998] by Joseph Connolly) CAM Sean Bobbitt ED Maryline Monthieux MUS Mark Russell CAST Charlotte Rampling, Jacques Dutronc, Carole Bouquet, Michel Blanc (Jean-Pierre), Karin Viard, Vincent Elbaz, Clotilde Courau, Denis Podalydès, Lou Doillon, Mélanie Laurent

MADAME EDOUARD (2004) DIR Nadine Monfils PROD Jacques Ouaniche SCR Nadine Monfils, Patrick Ligardis CAM Luc Drion ED Isabelle Proust MUS Bénabar CAST Michel Blanc (Léon), Didier Bourbon, Josiane Balasko, Annie Cordy, Dominique Lavanant, Rufus, Andréa Ferréol, Olivier Broche, Bouli Lanners

JE VOUS TROUVE TRÈS BEAU, a.k.a. YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL (2005) DIR – SCR Isabelle Mergault PROD Jean-Louis Livi CAM Laurent Fleutot ED Marie-Josèphe Yoyotte, Colette Beltran MUS Alain Wisniak, Bob Lenox CAST Michel Blanc (Aymé Pigrenet), Medeea Marinescu, Wladimir Yordanoff, Benoît Turjman, Éva Darlan, Élisabeth Commelin

LES BRONZÉS 3: AMIS POUR LA VIE, a.k.a. FRENCH FRIED VACATION 3: FRIENDS FOREVER (2006) DIR Patrice Leconte PROD Christian Fechner SCR Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc, Anne-Marie Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte CAM Jean-Marie Dreujou ED Joëlle Hache MUS Étienne Perruchon CAST Josiane Balasko, Michel Blanc (Jean-Claude Dus), Marie-Anne Chazel, Christian Clavier, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Ornella Muti, Caterina Murino

LES TÉMOINS, a.k.a. THE WITNESSES (2007) DIR André Téchiné PROD Saïd Ben Saïd SCR André Téchiné, Laurent Guyot, Viviane Zingg (idea from Michel Canesi, Jamil Rahmani) CAM Julien Hirsch ED Martine Giordano MUS Philippe Sarde CAST Michel Blanc (Adrien), Emmanuelle Béart, Sami Bouajila, Julie Depardieu, Johan Libéreau, Constance Dollé, Lorenzo Balducci

LE DEUXIÈME SOUFFLE, a.k.a. THE SECOND WIND (2007) DIR Alain Corneau PROD Michèle Pétin, Laurent Pétin SCR (adaptation by Alan Corneau; novel by José Giovanni) CAM Yves Angelo ED Marie-Josèphe Yoyotte MUS Bruno Coulais CAST Daniel Auteuil, Monica Bellucci, Michel Blanc (Blot), Jacques Dutronc, Eric Cantona, Daniel Duval, Gilbert Melki, Nicolas Duvauchelle

NOS 18 ANS, a.k.a. SCHOOL’S OUT (2008) DIR Frédéric Berthe PROD Edouard Weil, Marina Gefter SCR Eric Assous (screenplay NOTTE PRIMA DEGLI ESAMI [2006] by Fausto Brizzi, Marco Martani, Massimiliano Bruno) CAM Philippe Pavans de Ceccatty ED Célia Lafitedupont CAST Valentina Catzéflis, Théo Frilet, Arthur Dupont, Julia Piaton, Liza Manili, Pierre Boulanger, Michel Blanc (Professor Martineau), Bernadette Lafont, Maruschka Detmers

MUSÉE HAUT, MUSÉE BAS, a.k.a. A DAY AT THE MUSEUM (2008) DIR – SCR Jean-Michel Ribes PROD Gilles Legrand, Frédéric Brillion CAM Pascal Ridao ED Yann Malcor MUS Reinhardt Wagner CAST Michel Blanc (Mosk), Simon Abkarian, Victoria Abril, Josiane Balasko, Isabelle Carré, André Dussollier, Gérard Jugnot, Fabrice Luchini, Yolande Moreau, Micheline Presle, Daniel Prévost

LA FILLE DU RER, a.k.a. THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (2009) DIR André Téchiné PROD Saïd Ben Saïd SCR André Téchiné, Jean-Marie Besset, Odile Barski (play “RER” by Jean-Marie Besset) CAM Julien Hirsch ED Martine Giordano MUS Philippe Sarde CAST Émilie Dequenne, Catherine Deneuve, Michel Blanc (Samuel Bleistein), Ronit Elkabetz, Mathieu Demy, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Jérémy Quaegebeur, Djibril Pavadé, Alain Cauchi, Amer Aiwan, Mélanie Leconte

UNE PETITE ZONE DE TURBULENCES, a.k.a. A SPOT OF BOTHER (2009) DIR Alfred Lot PROD Yves Marmion SCR Michel Blanc (novel by Mark Haddon; adaptation by Michel Blanc, Alfred Lot) CAM Jérôme Alméras ED Virgibnie Bruant MUS Nathaniel Méchaly CAST Michel Blanc (Jean-Paul Muret), Miou-Miou, Melanie Doutey, Gilles Lelouche, Cyril Descours, Wladimir Yordanoff, Yannick Renier, Jolhan Martin, Éric Caravaca

ET SOUDAIN, TOUT LE MONDE ME MANQUE, a.k.a. THE DAY I SAW YOUR HEART (2011) DIR – SCR Jennifer Devoldère PROD Aïssa Djabri, Farid Lahouassa CAM Laurent Tangy ED Stéphane Pereira MUS Nathan Johnson CAST Mélanie Laurent, Michel Blanc (Eli Dhrey), Florence Moiret Daille, Claude Perron, Guillaume Gouix, Sébastien Castro, Géraldine Nakache, Many Payet, Jean-Yves Roan, Romain Lévy

L’EXERCICE DE L’ÉTAT, a.k.a. THE MINISTER (2011) DIR – SCR – MUS Pierre Schoeller PROD Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne, Denis Freyd CAM Julien Hirsch ED Laurence Briaud CAST Olivier Gourmet, Michel Blanc (Gilles), Zabou Breitman, Laurent Stocker, Sylvain Deblé, Didier Bezace, Jacques Boudet, François Chattot

DEMI-SOEUR (2013) DIR Josiane Balasko PROD Jean-Baptiste Dupont, Cyril Colbeau-Justin SCR Josiane Balasko, Franck Lee Joseph (adaptation by Josiane Balasko, Franck Lee Joseph) CAM Sabine Lancellin ED Andrea Sedlácková MUS Christophe Julien CAST Michel Blanc (Paul Bérard), Josiane Balasko, Brigitte Roüan, Françoise Lépine, George Aguilar, Christine Murillo, Grégoire Baujat

THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY (2014) DIR Lasse Hallström PROD Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Juliet Blake SCR Steven Knight (book “The Hundred-Foot Journey” [2010] by Richard C. Morias) CAM Linus Sandgren MUS A.R. Rahman CAST Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon, Amit Shah, Farzana Dua Elahe, Dillon Mitra, Aria Pandya, Michel Blanc (Mayor)

LES SOUVENIRS, a.k.a. MEMORIES (2014) DIR Jean-Paul Rouve PROD Romain Rousseau, Maxime Delauney SCR Jean-Paul Rouve, David Foenkinos (novel “Les souvenirs” [2011] by David Foenkinos) CAM Christophe Offenstein ED Christel Dewynter MUS Alexis Rault CAST Annie Cordy, Michel Blanc (Michel Esnard), Mathieu Spinosi, Chantal Lauby, William Lebghill, Flore Bonaventura, Audrey Lamy, Jean-Paul Rouve, Jacques Boudet

LES NOUVELLES AVENTURES D’ALADIN, a.k.a. THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ALADDIN (2015) DIR Arthur Benzaquen PROD Jérôme Seydoux, Daniel Tordjman SCR Daive Cohen CAM Pierre Aïm ED Brian Schmitt MUS Michaël Tordjman, Maxime Desprez CAST Kev Adams, Jean-Paul Rouve, Vanessa Guide, William Lebghil, Audrey Lamy, Eric Judor, Michel Blanc (Sultan), Ramzy Bedia

UN PETIT BOULOT, a.k.a. ODD JOB (2016) DIR Pascal Chaumeil PROD Sidonie Dumas, Yann Arnaud SCR Michel Blanc (novel “Since the Layoffs” [2003] by Iain Levison; adaptation by Michel Blanc) CAM Manuel Dacosse ED Sylvie Landra MUS Mathieu Lamboley CAST Romain Duris, Michel Blanc (Gardot), Alice Belaïdi, Gustave Kervern, Alex Lutz, Charlie Dupont, Philippe Grand’Henry, Thomas Mustin, Patrick Descamps

RAID DINGUE, a.k.a. R.A.I.D. SPECIAL UNIT (2016) DIR Dany Boon PROD Jérôme Seydoux SCR Dany Boon, Sarah Kaminsky (adaptation by Dany Boon, Sarah Kaminsky) CAM Denis Rouden MUS Michaël Tordjman, Maxime Desprez CAST Alice Pol, Dany Boon, Michel Blanc (Jacques Pasduali), Yvan Attal, Sabine Azema, Patrick Mille, François Levantal, Florent Peyre, Anne Marivin, Urbain Chancelier

PAUL SANCHEZ EST REVENU!, a.k.a. PAUL SANCHEZ IS BACK! (2018) DIR Patricia Mazuy PROD Patrick Sobelman SCR Patricia Mazuy, Yves Thomas (original idea by Yves Thomas) CAM Frédéric Noirhomme ED Mathilde Muyard MUS John Cale CAST Laurent Lafitte, Zita Hanrot, Philippe Girard, Idir Chender, Anthony Paliotti, Anne-Lise Heimburger, Anthony Paliotti, Achille Reggiani, Michel Blanc (Gendarme)

VOYEZ COMME ON DANSE, a.k.a. KISS & TELL (2018) DIR Michel Blanc PROD Yves Marmion SCR Michel Blanc (characters created by Joseph Connolly) CAM Pierre Gantelmi d’Ille ED Maryline Monthieux CAST Karin Viard, Carole Bouquet, Charlotte Rampling, Jean-Paul Rouve, William Lebghil, Jacques Dutronc, Michel Blanc (Jean-Pierre)

DOCTEUR?, a.k.a. A GOOD DOCTOR (2019) DIR Tristan Séguéla PROD Bruno Nahon SCR Tristan Séguéla, Jim Birmant CAM Frédéric Noirhomme ED Grégoire Sivan MUS Grégoire Hetzel CAST Michel Blanc (Serge Mamou-Mani), Hakim Jemeli, Solène Rigot, Franck Gastambide, Artus, Fadily Camara, Ophélia Kolb, Maxence Tual

LES TUCHE 4 (2021) DIR Olivier Baroux PROD Richard Grandpierre SCR Olivier Baroux, Jean-Paul Rouve, Nessim Chikhaoui, Julien Hervé, Philippe Mechelen CAM Christian Abomnes MUS Martin Rappeneau CAST Jean-Paul Rouve, Isabelle Nanty, Michel Blanc (Jean-Yves Marteau), Claire Nadeau, Sarah Stern, Pierre Lottin, Théo Fernandez

LES CADORS, a.k.a. TOP DOGS (2022) DIR Julien Guetta PROD Lionel Dutemple, Romain Rousseau, Benjamin Morgaine, Maxime Delauney, Mathieu Ageron SCR Julien Guetta, Lionel Dutemple (adaptation by Julien Guetta, Lionel Dutemple; original idea by Lionel Dutemple) CAM Philippe Guilbert ED Samuel Fassi CAST Jean-Paul Rouve, Grégoire Ludig, Michel Blanc (Jean-Pierre Deloup), Marie Gillain, Aurore Broutin, Niels Hamel-Brochen

LES PETITES VICTORES (2023) DIR Mélanie Auffret PROD Foucauld Barre, Nicolas Duval Adassovsky SCR Mélanie Auffret, Michaël Souhaité CAM Laurent Dailland ED Jeanne Kef MUS Julien Glabs CAST Michel Blanc (Emile Menoux), Julia Piaton, Lionel Abelanski, Marie Bunel, India Hair, Marie-Pierre Casey, Sébastien Chassagne, Géraldine Schitter, Caroline Ferrus, Franck Trillot, Caroline Creac’h, Odette Simoneau, Cathy Cerda, Daphné Richard, Adrien Guionnet, Soën Abenon, Marie Podeur, Eliot Bouger Van Goethem, Lila Coraillon