INTERVIEW | Starring in 'The Man in the Black Suit,' an Interview with Raphael Personnaz
INTERVIEW | The Tragic Downfall of a Man on the Brink of Success
Raphaël Personnaz, Star of 'The Man in the Black Suit' - Interview (Part 1)
It was a perfect life, until that night.—A man burdened by a crime he never intended to commit, the "Man in the Black Suit." From the day of the incident, his life plummets into the abyss. From France, the heartland of film noir, comes a thrilling crime suspense with an unpredictable plot. The star, Raphaël Personnaz, shares the allure of this film, opening on Saturday, August 31st.
Photographs by JAMANDFIX (portrait)Interview & Text by TANAKA Junko (OPENERS)
A Rising Star in French Cinema
With his striking looks, charisma, and exceptional acting, Raphaël Personnaz is hailed as the "new Alain Delon." In his native France, six of his starring films are released this year alone, and fashion magazines are eagerly featuring him. Furthermore, in March of this year, he received the Patrick Dewaere Award, given to promising young actors. Personnaz, who is currently at the peak of his career, makes his Japanese debut in 'The Man in the Black Suit,' where he portrays a beautiful criminal.
"When I received the script from director Catherine, by the time I finished reading it, my decision to participate was firm. While it deals with a heavy theme, it doesn't lean too heavily into sentimentality. If it were wine, it would be an exquisite dry vintage. The characters, the dialogue – the way the characters are depicted is so real, I could easily see myself in their shoes. I knew I had to be in this film."
Catherine Corsini, who wrote and directed, is a highly acclaimed figure in French cinema. While she has previously helmed numerous films with female protagonists, such as 'Replay' (2000) starring Emmanuelle Béart, this is her first film centered on a male character.
Becoming the Perpetrator—
The protagonist, played by Personnaz, is Al, who works as a car dealer. Immaculately dressed in the black suit that symbolizes success, he had climbed the ranks through sheer hard work from his position as a mechanic and was just ten days away from marrying the社長's daughter. Just as his long-held ambitions were about to bear fruit, he hits a man on a late-night road after a party. Stunned, he gets out of the car, but under the urging of his two colleagues in the vehicle, he flees the scene.
"If I were in Al's position... it's very difficult to contemplate. Of course, from a general moral standpoint, it's an incredibly cowardly act. I'd like to say I would immediately help the person I hit and take them to the hospital, but no one knows how they would react when faced with a critical situation."
"Perhaps most people's minds would go completely blank, unable to think of anything. Unable to accept the terrifying reality unfolding before them, the instinct to protect what they have built so far would take over. This could happen to anyone, and I don't think Al's actions can be dismissed as selfish 100%."
For Al, whose future was secured, protecting the life plan he had finally obtained was paramount. However, being a sincere and honest man, not a despicable person, he is tormented by his conscience from that day forward. The story becomes more complex with the appearance of Juliette, a woman who witnessed the hit-and-run from her apartment window.
MOVIE | The Tragic Downfall of a Man on the Brink of Success
Raphaël Personnaz, Star of 'The Man in the Black Suit' - Interview (Part 2)
The Strange Relationship Between Perpetrator and Witness
Juliette wants to help Vera, the victim's wife, but she also seems to want to understand Al, thinking, "He didn't do it intentionally, and he's not a bad person." While this might seem difficult to comprehend, perhaps it is precisely because she herself is unable to face the reality of her own pregnancy with her lover that she feels compelled to resolve the unfortunate situation of another.
In the film, Juliette is depicted as a threat to Al's fate, yet also as someone who alleviates his distress. Amidst the chaos, the two of them become involved. Personnaz shares his thoughts on this peculiar relationship, which has sparked various speculations in their home country.
"Juliette is the only person Al can confide in completely. Al, from childhood, has been labeled a 'good boy,' and in a sense, he has played the role of someone who lives up to that image. He's always done things well, meeting the expectations of his parents and superiors. But perhaps, somewhere in his heart, he harbored a vague dissatisfaction with such a life. That's why, by meeting Juliette, who sees him as a man despite his flaws and weaknesses, the curse that had bound him is broken, and he feels lighter."
A Man Burdened by Guilt, Al
The Witness, Juliette (right), and the Victim's Wife, Vera
Tension That Fills the Screen
A man burdened by a crime he never intended to commit, a witness, and the victim's wife. Triggered by a single incident on a late night in Paris, the destinies of three individuals who walked entirely different paths intersect. Is it chance or fate? Drawn together by a twist of destiny, these three can no longer escape. The tension stemming from this reality never wavers for a moment, from beginning to end. As the unpredictable and thrilling plot unfolds, our own heartbeats gradually quicken.
"The tension that fills the screen is entirely Catherine's mastery. She deliberately employed a directing method that disrupted balance. By doing so, she surprised us actors, creating genuine tension on set. She might ask us to act with restrained emotion in one scene, and then in the next, ask for a highly emotional performance. The filming proceeded with varying approaches for each shot. I believe that this 'unbalanced' technique ultimately led to the palpable tension."
Personnaz's Secret to Role Preparation?
Personnaz states, "Al and I have a few things in common." His ability to maintain an "everything is going smoothly" demeanor in any situation and his effort to meet the expectations of those around him resonate with him. While searching for similarities with the character, he meticulously prepared for the role, losing several kilograms to portray the protagonist's hypersensitive state under immense psychological pressure, thus embodying the "beautiful criminal."
"For me, role preparation often starts from the outside. Literally, I adjust my body's spine and spinal cord to fit the character. For example, in the 2010 film 'The Princess of Montpensier' (Note: the film that catapulted him to stardom), I approached the role with a clear image of a cobra. I created the Duke of Anjou as a venomous snake that, while dignified, could attack its prey at any moment, posing a threat to those around him."
"The role of Al, whom I played this time, is almost the opposite. He lives with a great sense of confinement. Inside, he harbors an instability like a volcano on the verge of eruption. A constant, suffocating feeling, as if something is caught in his lungs. I focused on making sure this was reflected in his every action. As the story progresses, his breathing becomes shallower, and he becomes gaunt – this stems from that feeling of suffocation. My role preparation is always based on such concrete actions."
What is the weight of life? What is the price of a sin committed? What is atonement? The various questions posed by this film leave a deep resonance in the depths of our hearts. What will you ponder alongside Al, who has lost everything? We urge you to experience it in theaters.
Raphaël Personnaz
Born in Toulouse, France, in 1981. He discovered his passion for acting at the age of 12, playing Cyrano on stage, and went on to study acting professionally at a drama school. After establishing himself as a stage actor, he began appearing on television around the age of 16. At 18, he landed the lead role in the TV series 'Un homme à la maison,' quickly becoming a notable figure. While continuing to make his mark primarily in television series, he also ventured into film, starting with 'Le Roman de Lulu' in 2000. In 2010, he was cast as the Duke of Anjou in Bertrand Tavernier's 'The Princess of Montpensier,' causing a stir at the Cannes Film Festival and rapidly ascending to stardom. Since then, he has starred in numerous films, including the war drama 'Special Forces' (2011) with Diane Kruger, 'Anna Karenina,' and 'Baby Bumpers' (2012).
'The Man in the Black Suit'
Opening Saturday, August 31st, at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya and other theaters nationwide.
Director | Catherine Corsini
Screenplay | Catherine Corsini, Benoît Graffin
Starring | Raphaël Personnaz, Clotilde Hesme, Alta Dobrosi, Reda Kateb
Distribution | Cetera International
2012 / France - Moldova / 101 min / Original Title: 'Trois Mondes'
http://www.cetera.co.jp/kurosuits/
© 2012 - Pyramide Productions – France 3 Cinéma