French actor Vincent Elbaz recalls his unusual first meeting with directors Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, who later became close friends and collaborators on Tellement proches.
Actor recalls unusual meeting with directors
Vincent Elbaz, a French actor known for roles in Le Péril jeune, La Vérité si je mens !, Les Randonneurs, and more recently in LOL 2.0 alongside Sophie Marceau, reflected on his collaboration with directors Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the creators of the film Intouchables. The collaboration began in 2009 with the comedy Tellement proches.Unusual meeting at a law office
According to Elbaz, the initial meeting with the directors was unusual. He recounted that they were given an appointment at a law office at 8:30 p.m., in what he described as an empty law office premises. He stated that the directors wanted to appear serious and had him read material that was not fully developed.Unclear project and initial refusal
He noted that their project was unclear and that he lost some time during the meeting. He described them as nice but said, "Forget it, I don't work with them," according to Ramycineclub. Elbaz mentioned that the directors made their first film with Gérard Depardieu and Jean-Paul Rouve titled Je préfère qu'on reste amis....Friendly anecdote and second chance
He also shared a friendly anecdote about the series Hélène et les garçons. He recalled that his agent proposed the directors' project to him, and he initially refused, saying, "No, they are the two who proposed the short film to me in their shoddy law office! Forget it, I don't work with them!" However, years later, the directors approached him at the theater to propose Tellement proches.Persistence leads to successful collaboration
His agent told him, "They are going to come see you at the theater," and he responded, "But no, they are the two from the law office, I tell you!" Elbaz noted that the directors reminded him of this story. He said, "They reminded me that when they came to see me, I told them, 'But you never give up, you?' They thought I had forgotten them, and I had not forgotten them at all!"Enduring friendship and legacy
He concluded that the directors' persistence led to the creation of Tellement proches, a film he loves. He emphasized the film's themes about living together and a common foundation. He added that the friendship with the directors took precedence over the professional relationship, and while he has not worked with them again, they remain very close friends.
