Meeting the Seraphin team

<< This interview took place in a hotel in Ste-Foy during the promotional tour for Seraphin, Un homme et son péché. The media went in turn round the hotel suites of the interviewees. We pick up Anne Corriveau’s interview as she finishes with Pierre Lebeau. – ViV >>

On these words from Pierre Lebeau I head towards the conclusion of my assignment. Being conscientious, my orders won’t be complete without a meeting with Alexis Labranche. Where is he? In this magnificent suite in front of me. Right! I need to knock and enter. Easy, eh? Yeah! But even so, it is Roy Dupuis’ bedroom!

A quick glance at the room, the bed, the spa bath, before finally noticing the actor standing up very straight, wearing the beret that completes his ‘look’. Eye contact, a handshake, and off we go. I let go of my shyness in the presence of this Beau Brummel and at last ask my first question. << The author actually says ‘beau Brunel’ which is either a play on words that I don’t understand … or a typo! - ViV>>

Bearing in mind the rumours, the malicious gossip, I’d like to ask you if it’s easier to work with you at the dawn of your forties than at the beginning of your career?

That’s interesting. (a little sidelong smile) Huh! I don’t know, you’d need to ask the people who’ve worked with me. I imagine perhaps that it is. Certainly I went through a bit of a difficult stage, but I didn’t drop too many clangers even then. At the national school you learn the discipline of the craft, the importance of each link in the chain, the importance of teamwork, and thus respect for others.

I’ve read that when you were offered the part of Alexis you weren’t convinced about reviving an old story?

Actually I only had a slight doubt. I wasn’t familiar with this story, I just had a vague memory. But, on reading the screenplay, I found that the story was much more profound and more tragic than the TV series.

Nikita apart, you’re still being offered parts as romantic irresistible men. Don’t you find these roles a bit off-putting?

For this film it was much simpler than that. I had come back from working away from home and after Nikita I needed a break. I was happy to accept. It’s not important to me to try to do something different. What matters is whether I like the story and the character, and whether I’m interested in the people I’m going to be working with. At the moment it’s not something that annoys me or worries me.

There’s James Bond but also Austin Powers. Which one would you like to play?

(smiles) Hmm, it’s hard to say! I like James Bond a lot, but for me the role still belongs to Sean Connery. Huh! Certainly if I was offered it I’d think about it, but you know, I’d be very surprised if I was put forward for James Bond. And I’d be very surprised if I was put forward for Austin Powers too! (laughs)

With this film you’re reunited with the great Quebec public. Is it a pleasure to return to the big screen after years in television?

Working in cinema is a bit like working in TV except that in general there’s more time. However, there’s a different dimension than on TV. It’s an honour, a pleasure.

The character of Ovila was very famous, could you say he haunted you?

He still haunts me because everyone is making comparisons between Alexis and Ovila. On the other hand it’s the character that changed my life.

And which also brought you popularity. Were you ready to embark once again on this media wave? Are you coping better with it?

The media?

Both the media and the public?

Yes, I was ready because there are times when I’m proud of the work accomplished. However, fame is strange. I don’t take to it like a fish to water. Not any more! I’m shy by nature, and I’m not going to change. My mother always twisted my arm to get me to play the cello for visitors. I learned to deal with it. Really, that’s what’s good about society. It takes all sorts! (laughs)

What are you going to do to forget Alexis, as you must have done to forget Ovila?

I don’t think about forgetting Alexis. So much the better if I don’t forget him, nor Ovila either. If people are comparing them, that’s OK and it’s not OK. It’s no longer up to me, I’ve done what I had to do.

Is your documentary project taking shape?

Almost, the idea is to find out if what I’m digging up is filmable. At the moment there’s a lot of research. I started off with something quite specific, but I can’t talk about it. I hope one day I’ll be able to talk about it, it’ll be fun.

And your involvement with the Rivers of Quebec. Is one as important as the other?

Let’s say that it’s going in the same direction, but it’s not the same thing. The subjects are not the same. I think it is, because it’s going in the same direction. I can’t <say any more>. (smiles)

It’s over, another colleague will get the chance to see this totally irresistible blue gaze for five minutes. I can’t wait for another meeting with this shy, sensitive person.

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