Known more for his broody cop and character roles, at least in Hollywood, French star Jean Reno showed an affable side when he came to Dubai for the world premiere of The Philosopher, a film in competition for the Muhr Emirati Awards at the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff).
"When Cyril Deleye, the producer, told me there was someone who wanted to do his first film and asked me to read the script, I agreed shortly after browsing through it," he recalls how he got involved in the film by first-time director Emirati national Abdullah Al Kaabi.
"I wanted to be a part of this adventure, because I really have a heart for people who are pursuing their passion, their dreams."
In fact, Al Kaabi admitted when he first heard that Reno had agreed to do the film, he thought it was a scam.
Best known to non-French audiences for his roles in Mission Impossible and The Da Vinci Code, Reno plays the lead role in Al Kaabi's debut film as Baggio, a successful Parisian, pianist, football player and bon vivant. "The character was at a point in his life when he felt something was missing, and as an artist I felt a connection to it," he says.
Making a musical
When done with doing movies, Reno plans on making a musical, which will have for its theme the diaspora of people and how they try to remain true to their roots while embracing new cultures and traditions as a result of their migration. "This is something I have long dreamed of doing," he says.
"I was born in Morocco to Spanish parents, and I was married to an English woman, now I have an American child [by his second wife, Polish model Nathalie Dyszkiewicz]," he chuckles as he continued to explain how the subject matter of his planned production was very close to his heart.
Reno sees himself as a bridge, between cultures and peoples, that's why he relished the opportunity to work with an Emirati. In fact, the producer and director announced that Reno has agreed to do a second film with Al Kaabi, a romantic comedy that will feature, besides Reno, French actress Virginie Ledoyen. The film, to be produced by Dubai-based Oursin Films, will be shot in Paris and Dubai.
About his new film, Reno says, "Again this is an opportunity to work with a great group of people. That is what is important for us, to think more with our hearts than with our brains. That is also why I never agreed to do this movie for the money, and I can say this with all honesty, I decided with my emotions, knowing that I will be with people who are trying to live their dreams."
And like the good Frenchman that he is, Reno admits to being a good cook. "My potato soup is the best," after which he lets out a smile and bids us adieu.
