A new risqué comedy Do Not Disturb depicts a pair of male friends planning to make an amateur gay porn film. One of the leading lights of French cinema, François Cluzet, told RT why he accepted the role in the remake of Lynn Shelton's Humpday.

When Ben's old buddy Jeff knocks on his door in the middle of the night, just when he and his wife (played by former top model Laëtitia Casta) are trying to make a baby, he screws things up once and for all. 

There’s a lot of catching up to do for the pair of best friends who get wasted at a party. Carried away by the discussion of a Seattle festival devoted to pornography they decide to shoot a film together. 

The key question is what hasn't been done in porn yet? Perhaps, a film revolving around a couple of heterosexual friends with no physical attraction to each other?

What triggered the star of The Intouchables, Cluzet, to play in Yvan Attal's comedy?

François Cluzet and actor/director Yvan Attal in Do Not Disturb

“The challenge is always to surprise oneself. What I like about this profession is variety. I hate doing something that I’ve already done. I try to diversify the roles I choose to surprise myself. What seduced me to accept the role in Do Not Disturb was that it would be a little daring. I like this idea after The Intouchables, which was a compassionate film to a degree, I could do something completely different, to say, I’m not this good person you take me for, I’m a terrible pervert. I think its part of our profession. And when it’s only to promote oneself as a hero, it doesn’t do it for me. I think actors represent all humanity, with all its beauty and ugliness. Playing good characters is not the be-all and end-all. I like the idea that we can discover ourselves. Acting is much more than a personal publicity campaign,” the actor told RT.

Laëtitia Casta, Yvan Attal and François Cluzet

How does one prepare for an ambiguous role the one in Do Not Disturb?

“We are all ambiguous. Fortunately, we are. Without this ambiguity and fantasy, without our dreams and nightmares, life would be lacking in paradox,” Cluzet replied.

Does he always feel relaxed in front of the camera?

“It’s not what I seek – to feel at ease in front of the camera. It depends on the situation. But if the situation demands that I feel comfortable, I strive to do it,” the actor explained.

Do Not Disturb (image from kinopoisk.ru)

According to Cluzet, “talent is not something you’re born with.”

“When you have great desire, you have great talent, with little desire – little talent. So the director who gives you extra desire on set, also gives you some extra talent. There are directors who love their actors, and those who need them. When you work with the latter, you often find yourself to be the only one having the desire. But it’s also part of our profession. It’s chaotic, not all encounters in our life are sublime,” he told RT.

Last year the French comedy The Intouchables became the highest-grossing non-English language movie in Europe making the lead actor Cluzet one of the most sough-after French stars.

Do Not Disturb (image from kinopoisk.ru)

“Confidence goes hand in hand with success. When you become successful, you also gain recognition and trust from others. But be careful, it’s not a title cast in stone, being a revered actor, it can change. I think it’s always better to keep your enthusiasm and not to take decisions only for financial reasons. Turn to those you admire. Remember, good people are always there for you,” the 57 year-old actor advised.

Valeria Paikova, RT

• A Permanent Economic Emergency