His job is humor. For his first film, Florent Bernard might not direct anything other than a comedy. When in 2018, he approached producers for the first time with his idea for a “road movie” in Burgundy, it was a family comedy that he had in mind. “There have been plenty of films regarding separation and families in crisis, but I mightn’t relate to them. I wanted to make a sincere film, with real problems and not sweep them under the rug, but rather laugh at them through the prism of comedy. »
Returning to this extensively covered genre is an issue that Florent Bernard takes seriously: “The term “dramatic comedy” can be used for my film, but it’s a term that bothers me a little. We immediately had in mind a drama with 2-3 jokes, I wanted to make a real comedy, a film where we laugh with real moments of laughter. It’s a tone that I like and that I rarely see in France. »
With “We, the Leroys”, Florent Bernard returns to his native Burgundy: “That’s where I grew up. When I talk regarding Burgundy, it’s the shopping areas. These zone settings are magnificent, it’s like the Wild West. » The story is invented, but the man who calls himself FloBert admits: “I draw inspiration from people I know for the dialogues. It’s a bit cliché to say it, but there is me in every character in the film. I have things in common with father and mother. »
“Having Charlotte Gainsbourg, for me, was impossible! »
For the casting, Florent Bernard went to see the producers: “I told them: “For the mother what would be great is an actress like Charlotte Gainsbourg” for me it was impossible! » At this period, the producers were working on the documentary “Jane by Charlotte” directed by the actress herself. They were in direct contact with the latter and did not hesitate to share with her the script of the young 32-year-old filmmaker.
We suddenly thought of José Garcia, and it was obvious.
Florent Bernard
Charlotte Gainsbourg quickly arrived on the project. “She gave feedback on the script and we worked hand in hand. I improvise a lot beforehand and that’s how I write. I want to work with actors. »
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The role of the father found its interpreter later: “We suddenly thought of José Garcia, and it was obvious. I rewrote the character to make him real and tougher because Jose and his smile grab the audience in one go. The film gained a lot from his presence, allowing it to go further in sincerity. »
First film for a film regular
At the helm for the first time, Florent Bernard was not impressed, “They both did comedy and drama. They go far for roles, I didn’t hesitate to be demanding with them. They were great collaborators. »
In theaters on April 10, “We, the Leroys” is a sincere, cliché-free family comedy. The spicy dialogues illustrate Florent Bernard’s obvious talent for writing. Regularly in demand for his work, he is the author behind numerous projects such as the series “Bloqués” (2016), “La Flamme” (2019) or “Le Flambeau” (2022).
His career as a filmmaker began on the internet in 2010, when he was the intern-editor of the “Golden Show” alongside Monsieur Poulpe and Davy Mourier. Today, Florent Bernard does not abandon his roots and continues to produce on the web with his audio podcast “Floodcast” which he hosts with Adrien Ménielle: “He’s a guy that I adore and who can kill me with laugh. »
His next challenge, collaborating once once more with Sébastien Vaniček (following Vermin, released in 2023) for the spin-off of the horror saga “Evil Dead”. A genre far removed from comedy, in which Florent Bernard still excels.
