This is a new step in his acting career. The specialist in crowned heads embodies with emotion a former fighter pilot who seeks to clarify the circumstances of the death of his son on a mission in Mali. The TV movie For the Honor of a Son is to be watched Thursday August 25 on France 3, at 9:10 p.m.
How did you approach this new role?
Stephan Bern: I gave it my all and loved it. I was coming out of Murders in Lorraine, where I played a policeman. France Télévisions set the bar even higher for me with this demanding script. It was the roller coaster!
How did you prepare for it?
First, wearing a uniform gives a framework. Then, the soldiers from the Cognac base helped me to embody this commander. Finally, I was lucky to be surrounded by wonderful actors… who didn’t judge me. Upstream, I had taken a coach and I worked a lot with Olivier Guignard, the director. Véronique Saint-Martin, who worked behind the camera, also supported me.
You take a slap, a punch, punches in the stomach… Wasn’t it too physical a shoot?
I even learned to shoot with an instructor! And when at the end, I unmask the assassin, it’s appalling. We are on the edge of an abyss, just like the technical team…
The end of the scenario is open. Can we imagine a sequel?
No, it’s a unit. But I’m happy to tell you that Bellefond, the pilot telefilm which will be broadcast this fall on France 3, will have a sequel. I play a prosecutor on leave from justice who is back in service… France Télévisions is very happy. The production of the episodes will begin in October in Marseille!
So you have started a career as an actor in parallel with your activities as an animator?
Being an actor was my dream! As long as I can continue my shows and act in fiction, I will continue.
What will your comeback look like?
As of August 29 at 4 p.m., I will resume Historymyours, on Europe 1, with Jean-Luc Lemoine, following the departure of Matthieu Noël. He too is a good friend. And I continue the filming of Secrets of History for twelve issues this season. In particular, we are preparing an episode on Vercingetorix and another on the Iron Mask.
You end your vacation in Paros, Greece. We saw you all summer on social networks with Yori, your companion. Why show you so much?
It’s to better control my image! Some photos of me taken without my knowledge and published are very ugly. At least there, I’m sure they are beautiful. Everything is going well, we are very happy!
Find Stéphane Bern’s favorites for the European Heritage Days as well as the list of departmental sites of Mission Bern 2022 in the new issue of Heritage Mission, on newsstands August 30.
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