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MOSCOW, August 16, Zhanna Staritsyna. Films with him are like sparkling wine: light, sparkling. For many, this actor is the personification of French comedy. Today Pierre Richard turned 90. How he acquired the role of a naive loser, why he suffered from Gerard Depardieu on the set, why his sons were ashamed of him and where he now has to sign autographs — in the material .
Charming bungler
Richard's first notable role in cinema was with Yves Robert — albeit a small one, but written especially for him. The director noted the actor's unusual appearance, his «naive eyes» and said that it was unlikely that there would be suitable images for Pierre in French cinema — he would have to create them himself. And then he shot «The Tall Blond Man in a Black Shoe», one of the most popular films of that time. The main character is a simple-minded, charming bungler who constantly gets into comical situations, but comes out unscathed. The artist looked fantastically organic in the role of an absurd good-natured guy.
The audience also remembered the piquant dress of Richard's partner Mireille Darc, which exposed the actress's back to her buttocks. Pierre spoke warmly about working with her and recalled how she taught him star manners. Once they were sitting in a restaurant, he saw a journalist approaching them and jumped up to extend his hand in greeting. Dark was indignant: «Sit down! He should come to us.»
Fantastic plasticity
He studied acting with Charles Dullin and then with Jean Vilar, one of France's greatest theatre directors. He used his students as extras in his plays. So Richard's career began with roles as anonymous monks, soldiers and peasants. His parents were disappointed with his choice of profession, and he did not communicate with his paternal relatives for many years.
In all his roles, the actor is amazingly mobile: he dances, runs, falls, jumps, fights, rolls head over heels with ease. Such plasticity is natural. In the film «Umbrella Shot» at the age of 46, he easily does the splits. In fight scenes, he masterfully wields any equipment — umbrellas, carpets, chairs. Once in his youth, Richard came to an audition for the choreographer, ballet master Maurice Béjart, performed an improvisation to music and was the only one to pass the selection.
Duet with a Friend
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Filming with friend Gerard Depardieu was not always pleasant. Sometimes, at the director's request, the partner got so into character that he would beat and shake Richard with all his might. Their duet was liked by both viewers and Francis Veber: he cast them in the films «The Fugitives», «The Unlucky» and «The Daddies». And in 2015, the old friends were together again on screen — in the film «Agafya» based on the stories of Anton Chekhov. So different in temperament, they complemented each other perfectly. Richard noted that Depardieu has great physical strength, but a very fragile inner world. And he himself looks weak on the outside, but this is compensated by a strong character.
Musical Sons
Richard was not afraid to be funny, ridiculous, and outrageously naive on screen. His characters constantly found themselves in awkward situations, fell out of windows, and got slapped. But there were serious themes hidden behind the humor. Thus, the film «Toy» raised questions about financial inequality, rudeness of superiors to subordinates, problems between fathers and children.
Pierre himself has two sons who were born in his marriage to ballerina Danielle Minazzoli. They did not miss a single premiere of their father, but at the age of seven or eight they felt awkward because of his comic role. The actor took this calmly, joking: “When I was a child, I myself thought Chaplin was a moron.” The sons became musicians. Olivier plays the saxophone, Christophe plays the double bass. Richard admitted that at family concerts he tried to accompany them on the piano, to which the children ironically rolled their eyes.
Director and winemaker
Following Yves Robert's advice to «create your own world and hero, using your strengths and weaknesses,» Richard turned to directing. His works include «Absent-Minded,» «I'm Shy, But I'm Getting Well,» «It's Not Me, It's Him!» He also stars in the title role, again as a naive blockhead. But the public was less enthusiastic about them, and Richard himself admitted that he was not very happy with these films.
The actor is now married to Brazilian model Seyla Lacerda. He rides his favorite motorcycle through the streets of Paris. He generally loves racing, as well as traveling, fishing, and good wine. In 1986, he acquired 20 hectares of vineyards and soon launched the Chateau Bel Eveque brand. His son runs the estate, and Richard tries to come to the production site at the end of August, during the harvest season. And he always comes out to the guests for tasting to put his autograph on the label.