Review Fix chats with “A Monster in Paris†director Bibo Bergeron (A Shark’s Tale) about the film, which is currently gearing up for an American DVD and Blu-Ray release after garnering critical acclaim in Europe. In this Q & A, Bergeron discusses everything from his favorite moment in the film to working with the voice-actors.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for “A Monster in Paris”?
Bibo Bergeron: Many things inspired me. I guess the nostalgia I felt for Paris (my home city) when I was away from it has to be the first one. Also, I have been fascinated by the turn of the 20th century for many years. It’s a great era to write about, where many things were invented and/or discovered in so many areas, like science, arts, photography, cinematography, industry etc. That inspired me a lot and thought there was something to do for a comedy.
Paris is also an iconic place of love and mystery, and I really wanted to do a movie with humor but mainly with love, friendship, compassion and humanism.
Review Fix: What’s your favorite part of the film?
Bergeron: It’s hard to say, but probably the scene when Lucille meets Francoeur, The Monster, for the first time. I know every pixel of that scene but it still gives me goose bumps each time I see it.
Review Fix: What was the filming process like? How were the voice actors?
Bergeron: It took five years of my life to write and direct this movie, all made in Europe, France and Belgium. With many artists coming from several different countries, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Canada, etc. lt was lots of work, but fun work.
The voice actors were superb. I love this cast. I feel lucky to have them on my film. I recorded them in Los Angeles and New York, most of them. Except for Vanessa Paradis who was often in Paris. Luckily, because she was the one with the most lines of dialog.
Review Fix: You assembled quite a cast for this film. How did it all happen?
Bergeron: Casting the voice actors is key on a movie. When I wrote the film and started to storyboard it, I heard the voices in my head which went with the main characters. They have to be distinct, unique, and when I pick an actor, he or she has to build, to model the character with me. I had the thrill to work with a fantastic cast of actors who helped creating exactly what the roles needed. They all brought so much on the table. I contacted them, pitched the film and they all said yes. I’m blessed they did.
Review Fix: Who do you think this film will resonate the most with?
Bergeron: Hopefully with the children as much as with the parents. There’s a message of love, friendship, brotherhood in my film and I think it’s inter-generational and universal.
Review Fix: How was the production of this film different from “Shark Tale”?
Bergeron: I would say it’s the same process except we had less people and less money on this movie. So we had to think and be smart enough to make it look good with a smaller budget and without denaturing it.
And A Monster in Paris was 100% my idea, so I was in charge and responsible of 100% of the look and sounds of the film.
Review Fix: What do you think you learned during the filming of this production? How will it help you moving forward?
Bergeron: Again, the responsibilities on every department built up character. That made me stronger and I’ve learned a lot about producing a film of that scale.
Review Fix: What’s next for you?
Bergeron: I have been writing and developing projects in the course of the past year and we will announce my next feature film during this year’s Cannes Festival.
Check out a clip of the film below:
For more information on the film, click  here.
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