“There was no money at all”: 40 years after playing in one of the most popular comedies in French cinema, Michel Boujenah tells a complicated shoot

Directed by Coline Serreau in the mid -80s, three men and a briefing is the film that allowed Michel Boujenah to obtain the César for best actor in a supporting role in 1986.

Large uncertainties on the set

Also carried by André Dussollier and Roland Giraud, this hilarious film in which three single roommates found themselves having to take care of a baby deposited in front of their large Parisian apartment, had brought together more than 10 million spectators in French theaters when it came out. An unexpected commercial success which had allowed the film to offer a sequel in 2003 (entitled 18 years later), an adaptation to the theater and an American remake directed by Leonard Nimoy.

However, even if the notoriety of three men and a basket seems obvious 40 years later, it was in a climate of great uncertainty and important financial problems that the filming was made, as Michel Boujenah told a few days ago, guest On the set of TV Magazine.

“There was no money on the set”

“We were happy to make the film, of course. But we didn't know … When Roland Giraud said, 'you will see, it will touch a lot of people', we hoped that the film is enough spectators for Coline Serreau to continue to make cinema and that they do not lose money. Because there was no money on the set.explained the actor, specifying that the film was shot in silver, which cost much more than digital.

“Roland always said: 'Stop anxious, this film will be a huge success'. He had felt it and he understood it”said Michel Boujenah before recalling that Giraud was initially committed to playing the role of André Dussollier, but which he had insisted at length to change his character.

(Re) Discover the trailer of “three men and a basket” …