Christopher Thompson. “Things were different in the 16th century, but childhood loves and couples’ stories remain very relevant.”

A childhood dream. When Christopher Thompson discovered The wealth of Franceby Robert Merle when it hit bookstores in 1977, he was 11 years old. It was enough for his grandfather, the director Gerard Mery, to offer him the first volume, which will follow the twelve, for the young reader to become passionate about this family and historical saga, which takes place against the background of the French Wars of Religion, 16th century;^e century. Becoming a director, Christopher Thompson felt that this literary work would have a great adaptation. After twenty-five years of patience and just as much determination, he today presents the first season, consisting of six episodes, shot entirely in the natural environment of Périgord.

The history? As France, plunged into a historic civil war, faces the rise of fanaticism, Jean de Ciorac (Nicolas Duvachel) fights for his survival and his beliefs behind the castle walls, surrounded by his older brother (Guillaume Guin), his wife Isabelle (Lucy Debay) and his sons, torn between their father’s Protestant faith and their mother’s Catholic fervor. Christopher Thompson is already working on writing the second season.

Guillaume Gué, the main actor of the series, is still excited. “I was impressed that the adaptation of this great popular mural has all the foundations of an author’s approach. An author who carries his need to tell a story throughout the adventure. Christopher Thompson directed, wrote and directed this project in its entirety. During the filming, I discovered a precise, gentle and healthy director. Ambitious and caring.”

Madame Figaro. – What attracts you? The wealth of France ?
Christopher Thompson. – Historical stories are mostly told from the point of view of the decision makers, the powerful and the court. What interested me there was to paint a realistic and historically accurate portrait of this era through the eyes of an isolated family in the provinces. This mural allows you to reflect on eternal themes with the main events of life: births, marriages, deaths… In the 16th century, everything was different.^e century, of course, but children’s loves, stories of couples, tension between two brothers remain very relevant.

In what? The wealth of France does it resonate with our times?
All topics of the series, including social ones, are current. the place of women in society, class conflicts, religious fanaticism, epidemics, wars, advances in science and communication versus conspiracy and obscurantism… We follow a mixed couple who are students of two different religions who clash over this topic, and characters, which are concerned for their own survival, including that of their community. The Siorak family tries to maintain their humanity in an increasingly polarized outside world, while at the same time extremism, religious fanaticism and political exploitation of this situation.

All topics covered in the series, including social ones, are current

Christopher Thompson

Is it possible to modernize a historic mural?
This is the difficulty of adaptation. My co-authors and I wanted to preserve the very unique and enjoyable language of Robert Merle’s novels. We wanted to preserve this mix of Occitan, Old French, which brings a very exotic side to it, while making sure it remains understandable. We sought this balance throughout the creation of the series, and the actors brought their modernity. We have worked hard to respect the text.

How do you feel about adapting the thirteen-volume literary saga?
The thirteen-volume history is a bit of a trap, as only six deal with the Wars of Religion, a forty-year period during which France descended into chaos. This season is a free adaptation of the first volume. We wrote Six Hands with my colleague Fabrice Roger-Lacan and Baptiste Roger-Lacan, Associate Professor and Doctor of History. Robert Merle’s books are very historically accurate, and we’ve called on other sources at times to feed into some very specific domestic situations…There’s bound to be subjectivity in interpreting the past, but we’re always writing. When we took liberties, at least we knew it. To study the customs of the time, we delved into various testimonies, esp The Cattail Gospels:a kind of almanac that evokes diseases, love, beliefs, sayings and recipes…

After five movies and a series bardo Co-written with Danielle Thompson, Was it easy to get rid of your mother?
I don’t ask myself this question because I’ve been writing with him for a long time, and with others for that matter, but I find that collective writing is very intimate work. Therefore, it is not so much a liberation, but rather a pleasure to move from one couple to another or from one team to another, each time feeling enriched by previous experiences.

It’s nice to move from one pair to the next, feeling each time enriched by previous experiences.

Christopher Thompson

The series The wealth of France filmed entirely in natural settings. This was a starting requirement.
Yes, we went to Périgord, where Merle wrote his books, and we were lucky that this region is still preserved. The castles were chosen with great care, and since many are open to the public, we sometimes had to make do with gates, ramps for visitors… But we lived together for four months, and this military life brought us essential energy. the project.

Which director? you are today
I love being on set and I think the key to being on set is to have fun every day. Difficulties to overcome and unforeseen events are daily occurrences, but I tell myself that every day I shoot is a happy day.

How did you enjoy filming your son, Marcel Thomson, who plays Francois de Ciorac?
Very funny, like all the other young actors who bring their extraordinary energy to the set. Marcel tried quite late, as he was working on a film in the US as an assistant, but the actors generally give the keys to the characters; needed for the role of François de Ciorac. Working with family doesn’t scare me because if it’s appropriate, it develops interesting relationships.

luck of france directed by Christopher Thompson, with Nicolas Duvauchel, Guillaume Gu, Lucie Deba, Gregory Fitussi, Lou Lampros… From September 16: France 2.