And if before you left you did not leave your lover, as in the Roch Voisine song, but went to the afterlife, taking the last journey, the one-way journey, you would have the chance to grant one last interview, wouldn't you? Do it? At least this is the idea of actress and presenter Danielle Ouimet.
Published at 2:06 p.m. Updated at 3:19 p.m
The television project of these will interviews emerged in Danielle Ouimet's mind in 2015 while she was lying in the waiting room of the Saint-Luc hospital.
“While I was waiting, I saw Andrée Lachapelle [l’actrice] and Andre Melancon [le réalisateur]They held hands without speaking. I didn't want to disturb them, but to my great surprise they came to me to tell me that André had cancer. They explained to me the end of a life and I really wanted to ask them questions. How was her life? Why can we still be happy at a certain age? »
It all started from there. With the aim of “preserving the memory of the great builders of Quebec,” said Minister of Culture and Communications Mathieu Lacombe. People from the cultural sector, but also from business, sport and science. Figures who have shaped Quebec's history and who will be given the opportunity to speak publicly one last time.
Because the business model is unusual – given the sporadic broadcast of these 50 will interviews, Bibliothèque et Archives nationaux du Québec (BAnQ) and producer France Beaudoin (from Pamplemousse) had difficulty finding a broadcaster. Ultimately, it was Télé-Québec that made the breakthrough with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Communications, which funded the project with 2.8 million euros.
France Beaudoin did not want to name the personalities who had agreed to give a final interview – which will be broadcast after their deaths – but gave examples of people who would have liked to interview her. “We would have met Denise Bombardier, Hubert Reeves, Bernard Lemaire, Leonard Cohen, Michel Louvain… That gives you an idea of the range of personalities we are targeting. »
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Minister of Culture and Communications Mathieu Lacombe, surrounded by hosts Gildor Roy and Danielle Ouimet (to his right) and Marie Grégoire, director of BAnQ and producer France Beaudoin (to his left).
The production team has three years to conduct these 50 interviews (45 minutes), which are filmed in the magnificent reading room of the National Archives in Montreal. Three interviews have been completed so far.
Surprisingly, most contacts agreed. A chance to have the last word before you go… “People consider it a very, very great honor. After the first interviews it was completely assumed that these were not melancholic moments. Those who have refused have a difficult condition or do not want to see themselves as they are at the moment, France Beaudoin tells us. Because basically we are creating the final archive. Therefore, for reasons of dignity and respect, we do not disclose names. »
To support Danielle Ouimet in the interviews, the actor and presenter Gildor Roy was contacted by France Beaudoin. They will share the interviews with Danielle.
I said yes immediately. It's funny because two days before France called me, I was discussing with a friend what our cold cuts will be and I asked him: Will the last image people will have of me be km/h? (laughs!) I tell myself that it is important to give Quebec's personalities the floor one last time.
Gildor Roy, actor and presenter
We ask the two hosts of Before You Go: Will these interviews necessarily be self-indulgent? Everyone has a dark side. Will you address more controversial topics?
“I think so,” replied Gildor Roy. When Michel Louvain died, it was the first time it was said publicly that his friend was in pain, but everyone knew it. The people we will interview are far enough along in their lives and brilliant enough to tackle difficult topics on their own. There are no prohibitions, but at the same time you know what you are getting yourself into. »
Danielle Ouimet, who hosted TVA's Bla Bla Bla from 1993 to 2000, believes that the context in which these interviewees find themselves helps share “truths.”
“I tell them: When you get home, what makes you laugh? What brings you to the truth? Did you have any luck? Is there anything you would do differently? This is what I want to know, this is what I want left of you. So it cannot be complacent. We open doors without forcing them to trust, but they are in a state of receptivity, trust and confidence. In any case, they have been very honest so far. »