Fernandel evokes the character of Don Camillo. He rediscovered his native Provence and described the southern actors characterized by a background of sadness and a background of humanity. They say "Marseillais are never taken seriously"." It’s a mistake," he adds, in a peremptory and playful tone. This is probably due to a great sensitivity and the family spirit which is very strong in Provence
Jean-Marie Le CLEZIO wonders about the reasons to love the Mediterranean. He loves the Mediterranean, this anguish of light, this too much light that we find in the work of Albert CAMUS. It is an archaic society that juxtaposes archaic images combining Roman monuments, medieval monuments and the monstrous modern city. The Mediterranean is the native sea, more familiar and more literary. According to the writer, "Reading the pre-Sosocratic with the shimmering sea" is terrific.
Robert GUEDIGUIAN, interviewed by Bernard PIVOT, explains why he chose Marseille for his films. He chose to search in the same place and deepen his stories in the same setting with the same tribe.
Marcel PAGNOL is interested in the accents of Marseille and the old port. It is that of the old port that he used to write "Marius" or "Fanny". There is also that of the rich inhabitants of Rue Paradis in Marseille and the Saint-Michel plain. It also varies with social class. The letter "r" is like the Spanish jota and is accentuated as in the word evening.
Daniel HERRERO points out that the city is not very aesthetic but that it awakens in him "the call of the root". Toulon has a charm. There is a very nice market.
Daniel AUTEUIL describes the atmosphere of the film "Jean de Florette" shot in the South. They spent almost a year at the rhythm of the seasons. They felt that the world had stopped. This was a new film that had never been shot.
Boris Cyrulnik, interviewed by Georges Pernoud, is very happy to live in Toulon and to have, without doubt, the most beautiful point of the region, without chauvinism. The city has changed. It was a very beautiful city before the war and it is now a city that is getting better and better.
Georges BRASSENS is interviewed by Mario BEUNAT in the house in Sète where he was born. His mother made him donuts with mussels. He spends a month a year in this house, bought a boat and feels good in this town where he likes to swim
Ariane ASCARIDE describes the story of "Rouge midi" and its characters. It is the story of a family that leaves from 1920 to 1980. It is also the story of an entire neighborhood, the Estaque, and the evolution of this neighborhood
La Durance is a character in the work of Jean GIONO. Today the Durance is no longer a character because many canals have bled the Durance. There are still some coppers, rushes and some lizards. Before it was a huge character where water flowed freely.