Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo... The careers and destiny of these two French movie icons seem to have been inextricably linked in the eyes of fans and professionals.
What is it about these two actors from the same generation that fascinates their public - not only a French-speaking public?
The media liked to portray them as enemy brothers – they were neither and they had elegantly decided not to fall for it. You could say that they were boxing in the same category, but not in the same ring. Indeed, how could you draw a comparison between the “Leopard” and “Pierrot le Fou”? Nevertheless, they grew up side by side...
Belmondo, son of an artist, was a sonny boy... casual, witty, fun-loving and full of charm. Delon grew up a lone young wolf, drop dead handsome and hungry for recognition. Delon and Belmondo, were catapulted within just a few days of each other onto the film posters of "Purple Noon" (based on “The Talented Mr. Ripley”), for the one, and "Breathless" for the other. From films d’auteur to great box office hits, their prolific career has spanned four decades and represents the best French cinema has to offer.
Direction: Véronique Jacquinet
Production: Point du Jour & INA for France Télévisions