In 2004 came the hit “Les Choristes”. And so that the feature film can be made and triumph in the dark rooms, Gérard Jugnot took a big personal risk!
The chorists : a moving story
The plot of the feature film The chorists began in 1948. Clément Mathieu, unemployed music teacher, resolves to accept a post of supervisor in a boarding school called “Fond de l ‘pond”. As its name suggests, the establishment does not shine with the joy of living that emanates from it, quite the contrary. Thus, the director of the establishment, a certain Rachin, instigates terror there. Supporter of the mantra “action, reaction”, the latter does not skimp on punishments, painful as they are. However, Clément Mathieu can not bring himself to fall into line by accepting the cruelty that prevails in the boarding school.
Upset and decided to change the dreary daily life of young boys who occupy the place, it comes to him an idea. The supervisor decides to override his role and founds a choir. But will this be enough to make the difficult pre-teens they care for truly open up to the world around them? True critical success, The Chorists caused a sensation in dark rooms. The feature film released in 2006 also reveals talented young people, like Jean-Baptiste Maunier or Maxence Perrin, interpreter of the unforgettable Pépinot. For the anecdote, the one who plays the little orphan is none other than the son of the famous Jacques Perrin, who officiates as an actor but also as a voice-over in the feature film.
Note that the actors of the residents, mostly inexperienced in the comedy register, do not sing throughout the work! These are the voices of the Petits chanteurs de Saint-Marc, a Lyon troupe – which included Jean-Baptiste Maunier in its ranks – that can be heard at many moments in the film. After the release of the feature film, the group was a resounding success. Young artists have thus pushed the song into Europe, America and Asia.
Gérard Jugnot’s bet
As for the genesis of the project, you may not know that The chorists fits as the remake from a 1951 film, The Nightingale Cage. The plot of the feature film is also inspired by the choir of a Breton center for young people. The creation of the latter was a real success at the educational level.
Quickly attached to the project, Gérard Jugnot is one of the main actors, but not only! The actor of the Splendid troupe also officiates among the producers of this musical drama. To succeed in financing The chorists, the actor made a decision potentially fraught with consequences. Thereby, Jugnot decided to mortgage his Parisian apartment in order to help finance the film, just that! A winning bet, since it has collected several million euros thanks to the success of the feature film.
For the record, the interpreter of Clément Mathieu was named highest paid actor of that year, styling Gérard Depardieu and Jean Reno at the pole. In addition to the financial aspect, it must be recognized that Gérard Jugnot is one of his most beautiful dramatic roles in The chorists.
