While Jean Xavier de Lestrade is known for his documentary ilms (“Un coupable idéal”, Oscarized in 2001, “The Staircase”, …), his fiction is just as strong. “3X Manon” is a mini series of 3X52mn that really stands out. One night, 16-year-old Manon (Alba Bellugi, a revelation) attacks her mother (the amazing Marina Foïs). The judge gives her a last chance before jail: she spends months in a Center for Closed Education). Then we follow her inner quest surrounded by other lost teenagers but also caring adults (interpreted by Yannick Choirat, Naidra Ayadi, Anne Benoît, Guillaume Marquet, myself). Will this detention center be her jail or a springboard towards construction and freedom?
I play Mme Barthélémy, the French teacher, who chooses alternative educational methods, based on myths, tales, les marionettes. With tenacity, respect, creativity, she brings the gift of words to these young girls. Not only to write an essay but words of life. Through words she helps them put a distance between themselves and violence. It’s an absolutely fascinating character and this film is committed, political, deeply human, speaking about all of us, which I am proud to defend.
Crédit photo Pasco and Co
