“We play at home”: when the Bodin family shoots their fourth film, a tribute to the countryside, in southern Turin

Welcome, not to Preuilly-sur-Claise, but to Pouziou-les-Trois-Galoches, the world capital of goat cheese., as shown on the sign. Since Wednesday, April 17th The municipality of Sud-Touraine changed its name to meet the needs of Bodin’s upcoming film, which is being filmed in full swing. Place des Halles, usually very quiet, is packed with people on Friday. It’s agricultural fair day. Maria Boudin prepares to arrive on a tractor to greet the audience. We will not say more than that, as confidentiality is required.

While waiting for the director to “work”, the girls practice their routine. And 250 extras Follow the advice of the film crew, to be placed in the right place in the shots. All or almost everything Local. “We are playing at home”, smiles Jean-Christian Freycinet, aka Christian Boudin. There is Friends of actors, craftsmen or farmerslike Catherine, squire of Turin-Gelen, in Charnezay. “It’s great to be part of the adventure. Because everyone loves the Bowden family here. I’ve been coming to the area for about 19 years. At first, I thought to myself: ‘But what is this thing everyone is talking about?’ I watched their videos and loved it.” “.

“Most of our friends at school are farmers who find it difficult to deal with this, so, in our own small way, we want to talk about it.”

Like her, Madison has a real admiration for the comedy duo. “My grandparents live in Descartes. Every year, they volunteer to participate in the Great Nature Show. So, I have the opportunity to go there a lot and I really like it. They make me laugh.” Being part of history this time makes her happy. “It’s strange, I feel like I’m backstage and in the movie at the same time. Plus, they’re very nice, very friendly. They take pictures with everyone. It’s also a great ad for Preuilly-sur-Claise that we’ll see in the cinema. It’s great.” “

Population and heritage in the spotlight Down to the smallest details. In the parade scene, the Cheese Brotherhood of Saint-Maur-de-Touraine participates in traditional costume. The countryside and its values ​​are the real common denominator of the film. “With Jean Christian, we come from the countryside, says Vincent Dubois, known as Maria Boudin. We see our countryside suffering at this moment, and the farmers’ condemnation is not insignificant. It has been brewed for a long time. Most of our friends at school are farmers who find this difficult to deal with, so, in our own small way, we want to talk about it. Be careful, the movie is still a comedy. But it was important to address these issues.”

The film is scheduled to be released in February 2025

His simple on-screen son, Christian, agrees. “The subject of the film is our dying village. Jean-Christian Freycinet explains. We will do everything we can to bring it back to life in our own way. Finally, the village will come back to life, and shops and schools will reopen. “We hope it will spread through real communities in our real villages all over France.”

Filming is scheduled to continue until Wednesday, April 24, in the south of Touraine, with stops at Descartes, at their farm in Sochon, and Busay-sur-Clez. On top of this film that could be called “The Bodin’s goes into a tails”, the two friends reunite with Frédéric Forestier, director of “The Bodin’s in Thailand”. Release is scheduled for February 2025.