James Bond spoof, French style

Scheduled to premiere tonight at the Mall of Asia is OSS 117 (Le Caire Nid d’Espions), a James Bond spoof, sort of, which opened the week-long French Film Festival held here last month. The movie, dubbed in English, is opening in Metro Manila theaters first week of August. It’s such an entertaining movie that you don’t have to speak French to enjoy it.

“Satisfaction guaranteed,” said Wilson Que of Pioneer Films which is releasing the movie here. “I myself don’t speak French but I was laughing and laughing when I saw it.”

Last Monday night, Wilson arranged for visiting New York-based journalist Raoul Tidalgo and me an exclusive interview with Berenice Bejo, the movie’s lead actress (opposite title-roler Jean Dujardin, said to be a popular comedian in France), and Michel Hazanavicius, the director, at the lobby coffee shop of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza where they (together with the movie’s costume designer, et al) are staying until July 26. They were supposed to grace the French Filmfest but so sorry, Berenice was busy finishing the shoot of a new movie and Michel with another project.

But they came just in time for Bastille Day to be celebrated this weekend. They also plan to see as much of the country as they can, with scheduled trips to, among other places, Bohol, Siargao Island and Laguna (“Where Francis Ford Coppola shot Apocalypse Now and Platoon,” Michel pointed out).

In person, Berenice is a deadringer for Hollywood actress Denise Richards (one-time Bond Girl and estranged wife of Charlie Sheen). She — surprise, surprise! — speaks good English so there’s no need for a translator, thank you.

“I stayed in L.A. for two years, that’s why,” said Berenice who’s unassuming and friendly, turning heads as she crossed the lobby of the hotel not because people knew she’s an actress but because she’s head-turning pretty. “Was I there to do a movie? No. I was there because my boyfriend was there. I was going back and forth between France and America.”

An actress for more than 14 years, with more than 15 films to her credit, Berenice in OSS 117 plays a Bond-Girl-type character inspired by a cheongsam-clad character in Dr. No, the first Bond movie starring Sean Connery as 007 and Ursula Andress as the Bond Girl (remember her emerging from the sea at the opening of the movie, shimmering in shiny-white bikinis?)

“The movie is set in Egypt,” said Michel who likewise speaks good English. “We also shot some scenes in Morocco. The bad guys are the Nazi. The movie is more than just a spoof; it makes comments on politics, society, everything!”

OSS 117 was a hit in France. It has been getting raves from other countries, including Japan where it won an award.

“Filipinos will enjoy it,” said Michel. “I understand that Filipinos, like the French, love comedies.”

Berenice, who turned 31 on July 8, said she doesn’t limit herself to comedy.

“I do all kinds — drama, action, whatever. If I like the script and the vision of the movie, I do it. I work hard for it.”

For OSS 117, Berenice said she had to study martial arts.

“In one scene, I dance the mambo with Jean (Dujardin) and in another, I have a fight with another actress; we fight so hard that we undress each other.”

Asked if she plans to follow in the footsteps of such French greats as Catherine Deneuve, Jeanne Moreau, Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo and Brigette Bardot, Berenice said, “Why not?” But first, she added, “You have to make good and be famous in your own country before you can make it in America.”

The talented Templo bros.

After we interviewed Berenice and Michel, Raoul and I moved to Spiral (which offers all kinds of food laid out buffet style — Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Filipino...you name it, Spiral has it) at the basement of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza for a brief chat with the Templo brothers John and Michael, sons of semi-retired actress Mildred Ortega and Mitch Templo (Ret. Gen.).

With their good looks, the brothers could be in showbiz but no, thank you, they opted to divert from the career paths of their parents — you know, neither showbiz nor military.

John, 33, is a classical literature professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific (in Ortigas Center, Pasig City) where he graduated with an AB Humanities degree.

“But I’m also into music,” said John. “I’m planning to produce an album. No, I’m not the one singing, I’ll just be the producer.”

Michael, 31, started studying Law at UP and finished the course at a school in New York where he also works at a law office. He and company put up the Templo & Templo (Immigration Consultants for US and Canada) office last year in Makati City. Services offered include: Tourist visa applications, students visa applications, working visa applications, family-based immigrant petitions, business temporary entry, permanent resident, family migration, skilled and business migration, change of status/adjustments of status, and citizenship cases. He shuttles between New York and Manila.

The good news is that Michael’s office is conducting another seminar on immigration (to the US and Canada) on Saturday, July 14, 2 to 5 p.m. at AIM (Asian Institute of Management), Trasierra corner Benavidez Streets, Makati City. Admission fee is P1,500 inclusive of material. (For inquiries, call 893-5964 or 0916-4909715.)

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