"A duet with Jugnot, a dream": Maxime Gasteuil visits Ramatuelle to present the film "There's no network"

He began by making a name for himself through internet videos, before going on stage with two shows that were a hit. Now, Maxime Gasteuil is thriving in cinema. After 14 Days to Get Better, he reunites with his sidekick Édouard Pluvieux in Y'a pas de réseau . A family comedy in which he shares the bill with Gérard Jugnot. A sort of Home Alone in the great outdoors where the bad guys get their heads in the sand. A film that the comedian presented as a preview at the Toiles de Ramatuelle at the end of July.

Once again, we find you with Édouard Pluvieux…

When I really started this job, about ten years ago, I had no one around me. And I was lucky enough to meet Édouard, but also Benjamin Demay, who produces all my nonsense. The three of us became inseparable. We gave ourselves the means to do 14 days to get better and now we're back for this film, with a cast where we took a few of our friends: Zabou Breitman, Bernard Farcy... It's touching, they really liked us and wanted to be with us on our projects. And above all, there's Gérard Jugnot. He loved the film from the first reading.

How did this project come about?

It was already in the drawers during the 14-day shoot. We wanted to make an adventure film for children. We were lulled by The Goonies , Hook , Home Alone … all those 90s comedies. We tried to make a film that would touch us, a bedside film, a watchtower, as Gérard says. We would like it to cross generations and become a bit of a comfort blanket.

What do you remember from these films?

These are strong memories, already in the laughter, the gags... And then above all, there is a smell, a perfume of childhood. It recalls family moments, Christmas parties, those moments when we were allowed to watch TV, to put a cassette in the VCR...

For your character of the kind, simpleton, did you draw on the Joe Pesci-Daniel Stern duo from Home Alone ?

Yes, I was also inspired by Jamel in Asterix: Mission Cleopatra . This kind of helpful character, a little left-wing, a little off-kilter, but tender... not completely stupid. Here, the two of them have nothing in their heads, but they are endearing. Gérard had a blast playing that too.

This kind of character without filter, first degree: is it a pleasure or a constraint to play?

It's great. I don't have much perspective, but people in the industry say it's harder, that you can't cross the pathos barrier. In fact, viewers say it's a cartoon. We didn't hold back anything. It's enjoyable, because these two guys don't exist. If they did, they'd have to be captured immediately and left in prison for the rest of their lives! (laughs). They're not dangerous, but they're completely crazy.

Was it a dream to form a duo with Gérard Jugnot in a comedy?

Oh yeah, it's crazy. I was super happy because I realized one of my childhood dreams. Plus, we'd wanted to work with him for a long time. We had a first film, the adaptation of my first show, in which he was supposed to play my father. It didn't happen... but in the end, he became my father in another script. Gérard is a strong link in my life. Le Splendid, his plays, his films... It's crazy to have such a rich career, so much success, and to be someone so humble and curious.