This sex-symbol talks to us about his relationships with women … While he is a free spirit in the manner of his character Alexis Labranche in the film Séraphin, Un homme et son péché, the countryside is his home base. It’s there that Roy Dupuis wants to start a family.
Séraphin, Un homme et son péché marks your return to the big screen. I don’t think we’ve seen you since J’en Suis …
That’s true. Nikita went on for five years and I didn’t feel like doing anything else. The hours of filming were long: 12-16 hours every day. I commuted between Toronto and my house in the Eastern Townships every weekend. I needed to come back home.
Does being a sex-symbol bother you? Do you find it demeaning?
No. Certainly it creates some jealousy within the profession, but in a way it’s what has brought me work. And without wanting to sound immodest, I know I’m more than just a pretty face … anyway, I never thought my face was that pretty. Perhaps I have a certain charisma. The media sometimes denigrates actors for having mass appeal, something I was a bit afraid of at the beginning. Now I don’t worry about it.
Do you find it attractive when a woman gives herself in love, like Donalda in Séraphin, Un homme et son péché?
In general, whoever gives themselves to you is attractive; it’s not just sexual. It’s a mark of trust. Unfortunately, in today’s society, letting yourself go is often perceived as a sign of weakness. However, as far as I’m concerned, it’s quite the opposite, because to give yourself to somebody, to trust them, you first have to have confidence in yourself. It’s the same for love; in order to love you first have to love yourself.
Did you feel you had to guide Karine Vanasse (Donalda) in order for her to convey the emotion of her character?
Certainly. A scene between two people is done as a pair. Acting is as much an exchange of ideas as emotions, whether the actress be 18 or 60.
How did Karine Vanasse get on with you?
She was very attentive, very involved, ready to listen. She thanked me after every scene. She was charming to work with.
Is it difficult for an actor to see the woman he loves kissing another man during a scene?
At the time it’s not pleasant. The animal instinct takes over …
What do you think of the rivalry between men and women these days?
Personally I try to be less and less competitive with others because I find there’s too much competition in the world. Can’t we have relationships that aren’t competitive, that are just an exchange? I think that generally power is maybe just as dangerous for a man as for a woman. In the end, what’s important is the balance. Balance between the social and the spiritual, between creativity, economy and all the other facets that make up our lives.
What are the most important things a woman has given you?
(he rolls his cigarette packet on the table). The two words that come to mind are balance and passion.
Do you believe in the coincidence that results in someone meeting their soul mate, like you have met the woman you’re in love with?
I’m all for it! << approximate translation? – viv>> I was 33 when I met her. It’s odd, but I always said I was going to die at the age of 33. That’s when I stopped drinking. I changed my life. In a way I died. Anyway, there was also this woman I’d met, certainly. She was much more well balanced than I was. I was back to being a five-year-old. I needed to relearn how to enjoy myself …. There were many situations that I couldn’t face simply because I wasn’t sober.
What kind of family environment were you raised in?
I come from a family that was quite strict. I had a disciplined childhood. I played the cello and took part in sports.
I had a problem coming to terms with the idea of making a film about Séraphin. Don’t we sometimes lean too much towards our past?
I had the same reaction myself. But it’s never a bad thing to know where you come from, or to tell nice stories, regardless of the era in which the things happen. Séraphin, Un homme et son péché tells the little ones about where they came from, and the others a lovely story. (pause) At the time I said to myself, “Why do they want to do this story again!” But on reading the script I realised I didn’t know it. It’s a great story of impossible love, like Romeo and Juliet. It’s also a folk tale. That’s what makes it interesting, because a tale can always be updated. It’s very current because I don’t think we’ve ever been so individualistic and focused on profit; we are just like Séraphin. There’s a sickness in our society, a lack of trust in one another, too much competition.
Who do you think Alexis Labranche is?
He represents a new breed of men that America created during colonisation. He’s mid-way between the native and western civilisations. That’s to say nearer to the soil and the motherland, probably freer than Westerners. At the time of colonisation the French said that our men would make bad masters, and that’s Alexis absolutely. He’s not a master.
Is he a bit like you?
Yes, if you like. I’m getting more and more like that. At the moment everything interests me. I’ve replaced partying with my former pursuits …. I used to study the pure sciences. I’m more on form now than I was ten years ago. I feel I’m ready to act in an auteur film.
Do you still get indignant "in order to stay alive" as Michel Chartrand would say? << MC: 85-year-old union activist and “defender of social justice”, apparently indignant about quite a lot of things. Sorry, don’t have enough background to source the exact quote and context – viv>>
Yes, Sometimes I’m even royally indignant. But beauty also keeps me alive. But I try to understand. “To understand in order to forgive” as Victor Hugo said.
You want to interest the young ones in history. That puts me in mind of children. Where do you stand on this?
I always said that I’d raise children in the country, not in the town …. And after I stopped drinking I found myself in the country. So yes, of course I want children!
As a star, how do you avoid being isolated by your position?
It does make you isolated. Actually, it depends. For me, walking down the street and being looked at isolates me. That’s how I am. I’m shy, an introvert turned actor oddly enough. Fortunately, now, I have my own place, my land, where I feel free. If you were to come and see me at home I probably wouldn’t be the same guy you would meet in the street …. But what’s important when you have a position of power is not to exploit it. To act according to your conscience. Yes, I’ve done things for the money. But it was while doing these jobs that I suddenly understood that it didn’t satisfy me. This money allows me to have a measure of freedom. (pause) Actually, the power doesn’t really exist. You have power over someone only as long as they really want you to.
Does this make relationships with people more difficult?
Certainly. Speaking as someone who searches after authenticity. It distorts relationships.
How does someone get to be your friend?
(laughs) Very good question! I haven’t made friends in a long time. I have a few. I formed these friendships before I was well-known.
Are you a fatalist?
It depends on the day. I like to reflect on the human condition.
How is the human condition these days?
I’m going to come back to a thought I had when I was quite little. I watched the news and sometimes they showed a shot of towns viewed from the air. So I said, “People are like a cavity in a tooth.” One town at night isn’t ugly; but somewhere something has been killed under the asphalt. What’s happening is like a virus. An imbalance has been created. If we want it to get better, pretty drastic choices have to be made. The problem is that the West is busy infiltrating everywhere, and development has become the sole reason for living.
What is it that moves you?
Life itself. Its variability. Its mysterious side. Life is beautiful. A tree … I love trees. The Earth, everything around us … we have to make the time to socialise, to be more spiritual.
Do you spend this time with your friends?
I like making good meals, to put on a spread. I get out a cookery book and dive in.
Having achieved financial security, what are you looking for now?
I think having a family is very important. (pause) I would like to act in auteur films and perhaps direct documentaries … I’d also like to create a work of fiction from a blank page to the screen. But I’m really a pack person, a guy who likes to work in a team. I don’t like writing on my own. I directed an episode of Nikita during the 5th season. I wasn’t so involved in the series so it was possible. It’s a good game. One of the great qualities of a director is knowing how to get good people together. It’s really a team effort.
Is this “family” where you find your balance?
I’m a pack animal. I need any sort of clan. It’s probably for this reason too that I make films. What excites me is the family that a film generates for a period of time. But there’s the ordinary family; that’s more what I’m talking about.
In what sense do you mean?
I want to have a family. For me, the family makes the whole world.
You need more and more to have a home base …
Having my house, my bit of land is great, and important. I have just bought a sailboat to learn to navigate. One day I’d like to cross the Atlantic, to be away for at least a year.
Do you need regular challenges?
I think so. However, I’m trying more and more to do things just for enjoyment. The word challenge makes me think of competition. I was born into the world of sport, steeped in competition. I suddenly realised I didn’t like it. I prefer to do things because I enjoy them.
In a sentence, how would you define yourself?
I don’t know (laughs). I can’t define Roy Dupuis in a sentence. OK I’ll try to play the game. I’m someone who likes to touch, taste, feel, learn as much as possible. I want to immerse myself in life with what I have. In a sentence: I’m someone who has difficulty going to bed for fear of missing something.
The man has charisma. He’s had it in the past, but now it belongs to him completely. His character in the film Séraphin, Un homme et son péché, Alexis, is like him in making the beauty of the world his reason for being. Go and see this film to feel the breath of freedom that Roy Dupuis inspires.
The Family Interviewed
At the grand opening night of Séraphin, Un homme et son péché, chance (is it really chance?) would have it that I crossed paths with the mother, an uncle and the brother of Roy Dupuis. An initial assessment is called for: affection, sensitivity and curiosity unites the Dupuis clan. These pleasant encounters took place a little before the screening of the great romantic epic.
Madame Dupuis, how are you feeling on this the night of the grand premiere?
Very well, and I can’t wait to see my son on the screen. I followed Les belles histoires des Pays-d’en-Haut <<the TV series>> and I think my Alexis is going to be wonderful!
Your son seems to be demanding and a perfectionist, but he also seems to be insecure. Hasn’t his insecurity eased off over the years?
(Mme Dupuis’ brother now joins us) Here’s his uncle, Jacques Tifo! In answer to your question, let’s say that maybe it’s his insecurity that allows my son to achieve extraordinary things. I’ve every confidence in him.
Monsieur Tifo, what do you do?
I’m a psychologist and a clinician. I was a teacher at the University of Montreal for 40 years.
How would you describe Roy Dupuis?
Roy? He’s a little lad who was initially very shy and reserved. His father pushed him early on into hockey. At one point we lost track of each other. I was studying in Montreal while Roy and his family were living in Amos in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Then they too moved to the Montreal suburbs. My sister taught piano to keep the children because she had gotten divorced. (Very sweetly and with great pride, Ryna Dupuis signals the arrival of Rodrigue, Roy’s brother. Then Jacques continues his account.)
Then Roy went to theatre school; he did very well as his career took off. Since then (laughs) well, there’s Roy Dupuis!
Ryna Tifo Dupuis: As long as he’s happy!
He is now, I think.
Yes! He went through a lot of little problems because he got carried away by the phenomenal success of Filles de Caleb, but he found himself later. On the other hand, he’s still looking (smiles).
Rodrigue is a year and a few months younger than Roy. Let’s see what he had to tell us about the international star.
Rodrigue, how was Roy as a brother?
When we were young, we were very sporty and very competitive. As in all families, our relationship had its ups and downs. Sometimes we would knock each other about, but we’d kiss and make up soon after. Still today he’s my big brother who wants to help me, and I in turn give him support when he needs it. I have only one brother and one sister, so we are very close.
What field do you work in?
I’m an analyst with Bombadier. I’ve worked in the aerospace industry for 15 years. It’s there that I met my wife; we’ve got a little girl of four and a half and a little lad who’s two and a half.
Roy is also interested in the scientific field, isn’t he?
Yes, aerospace and advanced technologies arouse his curiosity. Also the nucleus of the family is very important for Roy; I think he might possibly surprise us. (smiles) I might become “Uncle”; he wants to be a father.
Will he make a good Dad?
You’re always facing the unknown until the day when you have your first child; I asked myself if I would measure up. In my opinion, Roy will adore his children. He’ll be a good Dad.