Alain Chabat: famous French film director and actor

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

French films have always been famous for their unconventional style and humor. A huge number of pictures were then adapted and re-shot in Hollywood, however, without much success. Not the last place among comedy directors of recent decades is occupied by Alain Shabat, whose filmography as an actor and author includes more than twenty works. Especially successful was the highest-grossing French film of the 2000s, Asterix and Obelix: The Mission of Cleopatra. He became popular not only at home, but throughout the world.

From Oran to Paris

Alain Shabat was born in 1958 to a Jewish family living in Algiers, which was still a French colony at that time. Five years later, the Shaba family moved to Massy, a small town near Paris.

From the earliest years, Alain Shabat showed the makings of a creative personality, distinguished by quick wit and innovative thinking. However, his inclinations did not suit the traditionaleducation.

During his studies, the obstinate teenager changed more than a dozen schools, from where he was constantly expelled.

At the same time, Alain Chabat fell in love with comics, but after leaving school, he focused on working with a microphone. In his youth, the future director worked as a musician, radio DJ.

Finally, the talented guy was noticed by the personnel specialist of the main French TV channel Canal +. A semi-nomadic life was replaced by a stable job on television, where Alain Chabat was the weather forecaster on the Monsieur Metéo program.

Zero 3

The boring work of an ordinary announcer did not suit the ambitious Alain. He became friends with actors Bruno Caret, Chantal Lobi, Dominique Farrugia, and in the early eighties, together with them, organized a comic group, which was ironically called "Zeros". Something similar then appeared in Russia, when "Maski-Show", "OSP-studio" were formed.

Hilarious and enchanting parodies of "Zeros" on a variety of topics were successfully shown on Canal +, young artists became insanely popular in their homeland.

In 1989, the group was reduced after the death of one of the members - Bruno Kareta. Nevertheless, the guys continued to work and, in the wake of their popularity, decided to aim at creating a full-length film. In 1994, the actors wrote the script for the film Fear City: A Family Comedy. In full force, they starred in their tape, with Alain Shabat playing the main role of Inspector Serge Karamazov. In fact, he was listed in the credits.not under his own name, but as "Zero No. 3".

Leaving for independent swimming

Despite the success of the joint picture, Alain Shabat decided to leave the famous trio and start an independent career. He starred in Josiane Balasco's comedy film Cursed Lawn.

Here the actor appeared as an unfaithful husband, whose wife decided to have a lesbian affair on the side. The work of Alain Shaba was liked by the audience and film critics, who immediately nominated him for the main French Cesar award.

The Algerian is not satisfied with the role of an actor and already in 1997 he makes his first film as a director. The film "Didier" told the story of a dog that ended up in a human body, the main role was played by Alain Chabat himself. By the way, he invited Josiane Balasco to play a minor role, with whom he starred for the first time, starting an independent career.

Chaba's debut as a director was well received and he won his first César for Didier.

Successes and failures

At some point, Alain decided to get rid of the stereotyped image of a comedic actor and starred in the gloomy film "Cousin". The role of a policeman was the first characteristic image of a famous actor and director.

However, he looked more organic in his usual role. Comedy films by Alain Shaba are very successful. He starred in the comedy For Another's Taste, voiced the French version of Shrek.

In 2002, the director, together with producer Claude Bury, conceived an ambitious project called Asterix andObelix: The Mission of Cleopatra. Alain Chabat writes the script for the film, acts as a director, and also plays the role of Julius Caesar. This comedy film has become the most expensive French film project ever, costing over forty million euros to make.

However, the story of Asterix and Obelix was a huge success not only in France, but throughout the world, gathering a huge number of viewers.

In 2004, Alain Shabat shoots his next film "One Million Years BC", but it was coolly received by the audience and critics. In 2009, the Frenchman starred in the Hollywood film "Night at the Museum 2", where he played the role of Napoleon.

The famous director and actor continues to work hard, steadily releasing his new films.