In theaters since Wednesday, “My heroine” tells an incredible true story, carried by Chloé Jouannet. Loyal TF1 viewers will recognize the dancer who makes an appearance in this comedy.
My heroine by Noémie Lefort
With Chloé Jouannet, Pascale Arbillot, Louise Coldefy…
What is it about ? From an early age, Alex has only dreamed of one thing: making films. But in Rouen, his daily life is far from Hollywood glamour. Overprotected by her mother Mathilde, she hopes to enter a prestigious film school in New York. Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned and his dreams are brutally shattered. Refusing to accept his fate, Alex decides to leave for the Big Apple with the help of his eccentric aunt Juliette for a crazy project: to give his screenplay to Julia Roberts. Quickly joined by Mathilde, this New York adventure will mark the beginning of a new stage in their lives for the three women and bring them closer than ever.
Dance with the stars
Jean-Marc Lhomer / Bestimage
There is a choreography in the film that serves as an emotional thread. This is dancer Chris Marques, known as a member of the show’s jury Dance with the stars, who developed this dance. He and the director have been friends for several years.
The dancer also makes an appearance in the film: “It’s the gift of Noémie who gave me a little scene in the film. She can say that she made me take my very first steps in the cinema. We shoot the scene, I raise my head, and I realize that we are Broadway. It was very meaningful to me and I was very touched. I am a kid and cinema has always made me dream.”
An autobiographical inspiration
Universal Pictures
Noémie Lefort was inspired by her own story for Mon héroïne. About twenty years ago, she was a film student in Rouen and made a short film entitled Calling Julia Roberts, which told the story of a young girl who wanted to give her screenplay to the American star. On a whim, Lefort went to New York where the American actress has a production house, in the hope of giving her her short.
Post-lockdown filming
Universal Pictures
My heroine was the first film shot in New York after confinement. When filming began in France, the borders were still closed in the United States. Fortunately, they reopened in time but the team had no preparation time on site. The preparation was therefore done remotely, via Google Maps or Face Time, including the casting of the American actors.
An even more unlikely story
Universal Pictures
In the plane that took her to New York, Noémie Lefort discussed with her neighbor who had placed in front of him a magazine of which Julia Roberts was on the cover. She told him that she was going to New York to give her short film to the star.
The neighbor was actually Steven Soderbergh’s assistant, who directed Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich. The director gave up telling this episode in My heroine, fearing that it would seem far-fetched in the eyes of the public.
Winks
Universal Pictures / Cecile Burban
Several references to Julia Roberts run through the film. Here are a few :
- The post-it at the beginning where we can see written “Please, say yes” is a reference to the note that the actress wrote to Richard Gere to convince him to accept Pretty Woman.
- The junket sequence with Julia Roberts in New York where Alex (Chloé Jouannet) pretends to work for the magazine Course Hunting is inspired by a similar scene with Hugh Grant in Notting Hill.
- The bar where Alex is celebrating his baccalaureate is called the Blue Banana… like Pretty Woman’s bar.
- The small newsstand at JFK airport is a replica of the front of the London bookshop held by Hugh Grant in Love at First sight in Notting Hill.