Squad less like that of North ferry than to those of Top chef. Louis-Julien Petit tells how a cook (Audrey Lamy, interpretation prize at Alpe d’Huez) and a social worker (François Cluzet) will unite to train young migrants in cooking in a social comedy that opens heart and appetite.
“We surrounded ourselves with amazing young people who have something to restore faith in human beings,” explains François Cluzet to 20 minutes. They have gone through terrible ordeals which have given them as much maturity as a desire to succeed in passing on their knowledge in their countries. The actors of the film got in tune with these minor kids that the director of discount and The Invisibles has finely selected.
Laughter, tears and taste
“Comedy is a good way to raise awareness,” insists director Louis-Julien Petit. Making people laugh makes you think and that’s what I wanted to do for Squad ! His humanity and empathy hit the nail on the head as his description of the world of work rings true. Authoritative but deeply touching, Audrey Lamy leads the dance of a chronicle that in no way hides the difficulties encountered by young people and the people who supervise them.
We have a lot of fun watching the first confrontations between the heroine and the kids she has to coach, but the laughter dies down when an unfair expulsion occurs. “I learned a lot, and not just about cooking, for which I trained,” says Audrey Lamy. This shoot was an enriching human experience. The spectator shares it with delight as the characters are sketched without caricature but with a vibrant humanity. Without forgetting the moments when the water comes to his mouth in front of the small appetizing dishes that we see preparing on the screen.
“Cooking is about sharing, insists François Cluzet. It’s also a way to show what everyone can bring to everyone. Louis-Julien Petit and his team did not stop at this generous message. At the end of the film, a phone number (0749794961) puts potential employers in touch with apprentices looking for internships. “Making movies is a start,” says the director. We are also trying to provide more concrete help. This initiative makes its Brigade even friendlier.