Our mission on Friday, June 30, was to interview Xavier Deluc. According to our sources, the meeting would take place at Karément around 10 a.m.
We arrived at the venue at 9 a.m., ready for this festival interview. The hands of our watches moved on. At noon, Xavier Deluc was still not present.
We were therefore obliged to seek assistance from the “Research Section,” a special brigade of the gendarmerie. Investigator Luc, alias Jean-Pascal Lacoste, informed us that he was still in the vicinity. Captain Enzo Ghemara, alias Kamel Belghazi, confirmed that he was about to join his team at Karément in a few minutes. Confirmation received: Xavier Deluc, hidden behind his sunglasses and beard, finally revealed himself.
Mission partially successful! We thank the “Research Section” for its help.
It’s 4 p.m. The interview takes place on the terrace of Karément, with an actor who has drowned us in his gaze until we were at a loss for words.
Xavier Deluc: Bravo Nice-Première, for being passionate.
Nice-Première: Thank you. Major Martin Bernier, you who are a police profiler, we would like you to describe an actor you know: Xavier Deluc. Who is he?
X.D.: Xavier Deluc? He’s a man who worries when he shouldn’t. He is reassuring but sometimes overdoes it to reassure. He loves a lot but shows it too much; it’s pointless when you love (Smile). Sometimes a bit grumpy because it makes him laugh (Smile).
N-P: Xavier Deluc, what attracted you to this role of police profiler in a special brigade of the gendarmerie?
X.D.: The director convinced me. I was looking for a role where there was a form of maturity because I’ve played a lot of leading man roles. I needed to grow up, mature, and age with my physique, which wasn’t easy, and there, I find a role that somewhat matches my experiences: a mature role. I like it more than anything. I also liked the relationship with other characters: the hero is not necessarily the chief. I like that he is in rebellion against the system while being within the system, showing that just because you are a person entrenched in the police or administrative system doesn’t mean you can’t have your own character, your identity: defending the group, conducting investigations but sometimes not agreeing on everything, occasionally being in conflict with the authorities.
N-P: How did you prepare for this role?
X.D.: I didn’t do extensive work on the gendarmerie because we get a lot of advice on the spot. I wanted to work on the character as best as I could. How? I don’t know, but by focusing on his nature, his emotions, trying to tone down my acting a bit.
N-P: Do you watch police series?
X.D.: Not really. I watch but I’m not addicted. I like watching technical aspects. How are the shots done, certain scenes? I catch moments rather than being loyal to a series.
N-P: By playing the role of Major Martin Bernier in a TV series, a role and series that are becoming recurrent for you, aren’t you afraid of being typecast?
X.D.: No. You know, I’ve had many labels for 28 years. They come and go, I get others, I age… It’s a career where you have to work. You have to find the great roles that are offered to you at the right time. I am beyond that. Plus, I just made my first film as a director. I am happy, hence my beard because I played a small role in it. I’m doing a bit of promotion! (Smile)
N-P: Great. Can you tell us more? What will it be called?
X.D.: “Fallen from a Star.” It means it’s somewhat rare. It’s about a young guy, 22 years old, who comes out of jail and tries to straighten up but doesn’t know how to. He only makes mistakes. It’s a social comedy, with Thomas Sagolce in the lead role, Jean-Luc Ribes, and Renard Harper. I hope it will be released next spring. You must go see “Fallen from a Star!” It’s a beautiful film it’s like you it’s a bit improvised, with passion.
N-P: We’ll go. Promised. What’s your star’s name?
X.D.: I don’t know. I know that when I’m in Paris, on my terrace, I smoke my cigarettes and I look; I always see a star but I don’t know its name. I look at it, we talk, but I don’t know its name.
N-P: What role would you like to play?
X.D.: I’ve often played the handsome young man or the beautiful young man who chases girls. I had to fight to find roles of a rebel, an ambiguous thug, a perverse… so that the roles are a bit heavy: strong roles. I’ve had the chance to do it but it’s exhausting. When you reach your forties, suddenly there’s no weight. You breathe better, maybe it’s the experience. You question your entire acting technique. Age is important for an actor: to age a bit, mature and the roles offered to you are more substantial. It’s only the beginning if the career smiles at me, I hope to go into deeper, stronger, stranger, harder roles. All thanks to age! (Smile)
