“Pretty best friends” role model
Philippe Pozzo di Borgo has died at the age of 72
The photo on the right shows Philippe Pozzo di Borgo in a wheelchair with his carer Abdel Sellou (right) and director Éric Toledano at an award ceremony in Munich in 2012 – the photo on the left shows an excerpt from “The Best Friends” with François Cluzet as Philippe and Omar Sy as nurse Driss.
© [M] imago/epd/imago/Eventpress
His fate became world famous with the film “Pretty Best Friends”. Philippe Pozzo di Borgo has died in Morocco at the age of 72.
French businessman Philippe Pozzo di Borgo (1951-2023) died on Thursday evening at the age of 72 in Marrakesh, Morocco. This is reported by the French daily “Le Parisien” citing the deceased’s brother, Reynier Pozzo di Borgo.
His fate was a model for “Pretty Best Friends”
The fate of the art-loving, paraplegic billionaire inspired the screenwriters and directors Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache to create the French surprise hit “Pretty Best Friends” (2011). Via social media They expressed their sadness for the man who lost all mobility after a serious accident while paragliding in 1993.
“It is with great sadness that we have just learned of the death of our friend Philippe Pozzo di Borgo. By agreeing to have his story published in ‘Intouchables’ [Originaltitel, Red.] When it was filmed, it changed our lives and the lives of many vulnerable and fragile people,” reads the post, which includes photos from the shoot.
The filmmakers continued: “We keep in mind the image of a brave, dignified, humble and combative man. We will miss his humor and intelligence. It has been a rare privilege to be able to accompany him all these years. We will try to continue all his struggles. Our thoughts are with his wife and children.”
Omar Sy (45), who became a star with the film, reposted the post of the directors and commented on it with: “Forever in our hearts”.
This is what Pretty Best Friends is about
The art-loving, paraplegic billionaire Philippe (François Cluzet) needs a new carer. He and his housekeeper Yvonne (Anne Le Ny) are conducting job interviews when Driss (Omar Sy) shows up. He’s fresh out of jail, has a criminal record and really just needs a certificate that he was looking for a job. But Philippe hires him spontaneously because he’s impressed that Driss doesn’t treat him like a highly sensitive patient. The men may be completely different, but they still become friends…
