A few weeks before the grand finale, the authors decided to make Roland, the patriarch of the series, disappear. Michel Cordes, his emblematic interpreter, looks back on his last steps in front of the camera. Plus belle la vie, Monday to Friday at 8:20 p.m. on France 3.
More beautiful life will end on November 18. Have you prepared for this eventuality?
Michael Cordes: I regret this decision. This series will remain unique in the history of French television, by its duration, its success. For me, it’s a little less serious because I’m 77 years old. I had already eased off so I won’t run into the difficulties that young actors and technicians will encounter.
You were less present in the series in recent years. Why ?
I only lived in Marseille for three years. For reasons of private life, I have lived in Montpellier, Nîmes and Béziers. So that meant a lot of trips and nights at the hotel. And then, I’m not going to hide it, there was also a little weariness.
How did you learn of the decision of the authors of make your character die, Roland (October 3)?
There was a deal with the production. I agreed to come back but not for very long and not very often. It was the production manager himself who called me to tell me that they wanted to kill Roland. I was not surprised. Hubert Besson, the first producer, said that I was the totemic character of the series. The tribe being suppressed, it was necessary to cut down the totem. It’s logic.
Do you believe in a possible return of PBLV ?
Honestly, I have doubts. I’m not sure if it needs to be restarted.
Do you feel that this very emblematic role closed doors for you in your career?
Without a doubt. In France, there is Paris and the provinces. And what’s more, when you have an accent, it’s very bad. Before More beautiful life, every year, I spent around forty castings and I shot five or six films. From the moment I was on the show, it was over! I have a very specific example: a director had chosen me for a role, but the producer fired me because he didn’t want the “Marseilles of service of More beautiful life”. French stupidity…
Subscribe to the Telestar.fr Newsletter to receive the latest news for free