For once, an Armenian story graced the French silver screen not as a tale of genocide but as a celebration of life and culture. It appears as a contrast to “The Cut” (2014), a Genocide-focused film that struggled to draw audiences beyond the Armenian community. What both films have in common is French-Algerian actor Tahar Rahim.
Tahar Rahim portrayed Aznavour from his 20s to 50s, a demanding role that required months of preparation. “I thought I would never make it; it seemed like a crazy idea,” Rahim admitted. “But the producers believed in me, and that gave me the strength to push through. This turned out to be the most beautiful experience of my career,” he recognized.
Rahim’s transformation was meticulous. He studied Aznavour’s gestures, vocal style and even his idiosyncratic mannerisms through archival footage and family insights. “There were three versions of Charles in my head: the performer, the public figure and the private man,” he explained. Rahim sang live on the film, mastering Aznavour’s signature husky voice after months of piano and vocal training.
“It wasn’t about mimicry. To convey real emotion, I had to bring a part of myself into the role. The goal was to meet in the middle, to ‘shake hands’ with him and move together,” he said.
A Family Affair
Producer Jean-Rachid Kallouche, Aznavour’s son-in-law, began planning the film in 2018, months before the singer’s passing. Aznavour entrusted Kallouche and his daughter, Katia, with bringing his story to life. “He believed in us, and we’re so grateful,” Kallouche said. Katia’s involvement was pivotal; she frequently visited the set, offering insights and even sharing her father’s imperfections to humanize the portrayal.
Directed by Mehdi Idir and co-produced by Grand Corps Malade, a famous French singer and longtime admirer of Aznavour, the film highlights his pre-fame struggles. “He wanted people to see the journey, not just the star,” Grand Corps Malade noted. Among the 1,300 songs written and sung by Aznavour, the movie includes his classics like La Bohème, Emmenez-moi and Je me voyais déjà, capturing defining moments of his life.
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