"Le bonheur est dans le pré" is a French film directed by Etienne Chatiliez, released in 1995, mostly toruné in the Gers, in Vic-Fezensac in particular.
The film tells the story of a company director who takes advantage of his incredible resemblance to a man who has been missing for twenty-six years to take his place and escape his problems.
This comedy by Etienne Chatiliez, was released 7 years after the success of "La Vie est un long fleuve tranquille" (Life is a long, quiet river), which had delighted nearly 5 million spectators and has amused millions of people every time it has been rerun since.
Shooting locations and anecdotes...
Eddy Mitchell has notably made a lasting impression, brightening up the daily life of "rabbit", his not very cheerful friend played by Michel Serrault.
Originally, the director wanted to offer the two lead roles to Gérard Depardieu and Jean Carmet, but the latter died just before shooting.
The following year, Mitchell and Serrault each received a César, the first for "Le Bonheur est dans le pré", and the second for another film, "Nelly et Monsieur Arnaud".
The film marks the reunion between Michel Serrault and Eddy Mitchell, eleven years after "À mort l'arbitre" and two years after "Ville à vendre", both directed by Jean-Pierre Mocky.
It is Éric Cantona's first film role.
A small controversy arose when the film was released.
The production had placed the sign of Condom at the entrance of the village of Vic-Fezensac. The viewer thought he was in Condom, while he was in Vic.
The Condomois were annoyed since no scene had been shot at home.
Vic was the opposite. Scenes had taken place in their village, but we never heard the name of Vic-Fezensac.
The scene of the market under the arcades was shot in Vic-Fezensac.
The film's farm and natural settings were shot not far from Vic-Fezensac.
The exterior decor of the restaurant where Francis meets Dolores is in Eauze .
When "Michel" reads the press clippings that Dolores gave him, it is possible to read the name "Claude Moine", Eddy Mitchell's real name, in one of the articles.
The title of the film inspired the title of the reality show L'amour est dans le pré.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
(free version)
