Rami Malek, (r) incarnation of Freddie Mercury

Some actors radiate guts, but in life, we can easily cross them without noticing them. Difficult to find in this thirty-something menu and delicate, Rami Malek lost in his black suit and huddled on the sofa of a Parisian palace, the craving larger than life, extrovert and shimmering of Bohemian Rhapsody. American comedian of Egyptian origin who won an Emmy Award for his role in the series MrRobot, Rami Malek is now a global favorite since producer Graham King and Queen's group manager (with the blessing of Brian May and Roger Taylor) entrusted the role of Freddie Mercury in a biopic directed by Bryan Singer, released Wednesday. October 31. His only words of French will be: Thank you for coming my meeting! So let's go.

"I had a challenge
monumental
raise"

BrianMay and Roger Taylor of Queen, are part of the production of the film. What did they tell you about Freddie?

Freddie Mercury was a provocative, monumental figure with the endorsement of Brian May and Roger Taylor, it was a blessing. As you can imagine, I had a monumental challenge! Honestly, I do not think I would have done that if I had not been lucky enough to believe in me. I was particularly able to rely on Brian, call him anytime: he became a kind of mentor. When he saw the movie, he gave me the warmest hug of my life. Everything made me very proud.

You said that this role had changed your life: how did?

How could he have been otherwise? I was euphoric at times, but I also felt a high pressure. At one point, I believe that I have captured his essence and I say it with humility. It was almost a victory over myself. Little boy, I kind of fell in love with him. And then Freddie Mercury sent a very powerful message: how to be faithful yourself, do not forget who you really are. This message was very important to me.

Tell me about the preparation …

The first time I was asked about the role of Freddie Mercury, I was on the set MrRobot. I went to meet the producers. After six hours of discussion, I came out with a standard documentation, books … Back home, I still did not think possible and, moreover, funding was not buck. I said to myself: there is a chance that it will not be done, but in case, I have to be ready. So, I then in my savings, took a flight to London, rented a hotel room and took lessons in singing and piano. And then a coach, because he had an absolutely unique voice and diction. But I did not hire a choreographer because Freddie was only spontaneous.

How did you integrate his way of moving?

I worked with Polly Bennett, a movement teacher. Sometimes we were content to watch interviews, observe how he stood, how to move his hands on the sofa, take a small piece of tissue, crush it. At one point she said to me: "You pretend you're skiing through the room after Freddie's thinking about skiing." So I did it with the whole body and gave this very special way that he has to walk, during Live Aid, between We Will Rock you and We Are the Champions. We also have a lot of eyes Liza Minnelli in Cabaret because it was one of his inspirations and there are many similarities with Bob Fosse's choreography in his gestures.

"A maximum
of adrenaline "

Was the long sequence of Live helping the end of the film particularly difficult?

We wanted to render exactly what happened in reality, movement by movement, both in terms of performance and atmosphere. It was the very first scene we filmed. We went from Bohemian Rhapsody Radio Gagathen Hammer to Fall. At one point, I could not do the movements anymore. I then realized that it was essential that I turn the entire concert into a shot with different cameras that capture all angles and follow me. I needed the adrenaline to reproduce the gestures he had that day. You know, as an actor, to be on stage, to make a concert this level, it is already a maximum of adrenaline! We sometimes have the impression that the heart will explode. So imagine for him!

In a corner of your head, do not you think that this role could bring you an Oscar?

I'll tell you one thing: having the joy of dining with Roger Taylor, Brian May and the manager of Queen Jim Beach Barcelona after a concert: it's priceless. It's a private moment that I do not really want to share, but what happened tonight and what they told me is more expensive for me than an Oscar. It's like that moment full of motion with Freddie's sister, Kashmira. She came on the set, I hugged her and winked at her: I do not need more. Honestly, I consider myself still young and the possible tragedy is that the immense gift that represents this role arrives too early in my career.

Can such an interpretation go as far as doubling the personality? What will stay Freddie in you?

Do you want me to tell you about Freddie's way?

With pleasure!

Good-bye then! (he pretends to get up) This work, this investment gave me confidence. As a human being, I was trying to give the team energy, to boost morale every morning. It may be to me who remains of this role, what he gave me. I feel stronger now. I had so much energy that her sister, seeing me enchanting the catch, came to me to say: "You know, Freddie was a perfectionist like you … but he also knew how to take the time to have fun."

Read the review of Bohemian Rhapsody and the interview of Gwilym Lee (who plays Brian May) on lanr.fr