What is immediately striking when we come across Bouli Lanners and José together is not the physical resemblance but rather the same kindness in their eyes. The Belgian actor very convincingly plays the former MEP in A matter of principle by Antoine Raimbault, in theaters on May 1st. This fiction co-written by Marc Syrigas returns to one of José Bové’s achievements surrounding the opaque dismissal of Health Commissioner John Dalli, accused of influence peddling when he was going to pass an anti-smoking law in Brussels in 2012.
“I just had John Dalli on the phone,” explains José Bové to 20 minutes. The matter has just taken a new turn. Giovanni Kessler implicates Barroso, which corroborates our vision of things at the right time for the release of the film. » José Bové was indeed convinced that José Manuel Barroso (president of the European Commission 2004 and 2014, editor’s note) had organized the covert dismissal of John Dalli. A responsibility that Giovanni Kessler, director of Olaf (European Anti-Fraud Office) denied but which he now admits that they no longer benefit from parliamentary immunity. “It’s a victory,” recognizes José Bové, because the truth will perhaps finally come out. I see this as a good omen for the film. »
From reality to fiction
Becoming a movie hero surprises him without displeasing him. “I would never have imagined becoming one, but it gives me great pleasure, especially since Antoine Raimbault’s treatment of our history reminds me of the works of Costa-Gavras, which I adore. » The director ofAn intimate conviction take you behind the scenes of the European Commission by following the MP and his colleagues played by Thomas VDB and Céleste Brunnquell. “I was afraid of not being credible as José Bové,” admits Bouli Lanners. He’s an amazing man whose ideas I share and I didn’t want to make him look ridiculous. »
The viewer is easily taken in by this political thriller which reveals the ruthless battles taking place before the votes, against a backdrop of alliances and lobbies. “It’s funny to me to see myself on screen played by someone else. It’s difficult to describe but it’s as if I’m seeing distant and close memories at the same time,” says José Bové, who unhesitatingly approves of Bouli Lanners’ performance.
Not all rotten
The matter of principle that the film talks about is the one that José Bové defends: taking up the cause of a man who is not on his side but whom he considers to be unjustly accused. “That’s why this film is important,” he explains. In our time when many people no longer vote because they distrust “politicians”, we show that it is important to have safeguards to defend democracy and that not all politicians are rotten. Voting is a duty as much as a right” A few weeks before the European elections, Bouli Lanners and José Bové hope thatA matter of principle will help convince citizens to go to the polls.