Nearly two months have passed since the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest and esctoday.com''s Dominique Dufaut met with Bruno Berberes, the French Head of Delegation, to discuss the experience in Belgrade from his point of view and find out if anything can be said on France's 2009 participation.
What was the general feeling of the French team on its way back to France ?
We were proud and satisfied to have reached one of our goals: we didn't "cheat", I mean we remained ourselves. Of course, we were also a bit disappointed as we expected at least a place in the final Top 10. But we couldn't be ignored and having an artist like Sébastien at Eurovision gives a good image to the contest, at least in France. In spite of a big number of entries, it seems that the choice gets smaller. All entries look like one another. It's getting boring.
What wasthe most positive point for the French artist ?
Sébastien told me that he's recognized by his baker! More seriously, the experience makes it possible for him to be considered as a more popular artist, with a name known by a much bigger circle than before.
Anything negative ?
Sébastien is a positive guy. His main regret is that quite a lot of performances are prefabricated. There's no emotion, nothing surprising. From the very first rehearsal to the Big Night, the same lock of hair moves the same way thanks to the same ventilator!
Sébastien is not used to performing in front of such a large audience. How did he prepare himself?
He worked with his producers. Originally there was a choreography and no background singers. We should have performed with dancers in a very glamorous and kitsch choreography. Rules didn't make it possible. Voices on the playback orchestra weremade using a synthesizer, it is only "noise", but that point was refused by the EBU and we have been asked to have real singers. I think this must be changed, especially with that kind of music.
So we had to recruit backing singers only a few days before leaving France. They met Sébastien the day before we travelled to Belgrade, as Sébastien also had his own tour. Their rehearsed only once in France and the biggest part of the job was made in their hotel room the day of their first official rehearsal. It was fun!
What did Sébastien think about Eurovision before and after the contest ?
He had the same feeling with most of French people: kitsch, has-been, rubbish. But he said "yes" because he thought it was not his place. He likes surprises and jokes. After the contest, he told me he was delighted with that big circus, the Olympic Games of songs.
How did the idea of Sebastien's arrival on stage come about?
It was Sébastien's. It should have been a convertible but it was too heavy for the stage.
And what about the bearded backing vocalists ?
The idea comes from the video.
Why did Sébastien get out of the screen so often ? Don't tell me that it's because of the production team!
Well it was ! Sébastien's producers wanted another way of filming the song, they wanted an "arty" performance, no usual shots. Regarding the shot on his shoes… it should have lasted one second only, I must confess! That's the only thing wrong. What we wanted was a bit ambitious and pretentious. Rehearsals were not good at all, but many people told us it was original and I think viewers like unexpected things.
There was no commercial release of the single. Why?
Too expensive. CD single is nearly dead. But downloadings are taken into account on charts and that's how the French song enjoyed a very good placing in the Swedish lists.
How do you explain such good sales in Sweden ?
Northern countries gave us a lot of points. They definitely have good taste!
The TV viewing figures were bad. How did France 3's people analyse the poor result?
We had a lot of press coverage, both in France and outside France. Something we've never seen before. The trailer on France 3 was funny, people liked it… but there was football on France 2.
Do you think that having the contest back on France 2 could be possible?
Right now, everything is possible with France Télévisions.
How do you feel the choice will be made for 2009 ?
Nothing has been discussed but the song will be performed in French, that's a fact. Don't expect any idea before September. I personally have some proposals that I will defend.
Anything on your proposal ?
Why not world music ? French musicians know how to do it. There are also 2 or 3 unexpected artists who already told me they'd like to do it.
Did you appreciate the week in Belgrade ?
For me, it was the best venue since Istanbul. A very well organized and efficient team to care for us. A great pleasure for a Head of Delegation !
Is Sébastien Tellier an "easy" guy to work with ?
He was one of the most serious and professional entrants I have worked with since 2002. Same as with Les Fatals Picards.
Did you watch the semi-finals ?
Of course we did. Especially the first one. We watched it together with the Swedish team. A lot of journalists were there and pictures were made with Charlotte Perrelli and Sébastien close to each other… Beauty and the Beast!
What do you think about the new system ? Two semi finals instead of one.
Too much Eurovision will kill Eurovision ! Even if these semi-finals were more "fair play" than before, the problem remains the same on Saturday night. I still don't understand England's bad placing and last year's German flop.
In your opinion, which country should have qualified and didn't ?
The Netherlands, Switzerland and Cyprus. It was very disappointing as these songs were not fake.
And those you saw as potential winners on Saturday?
Russia, maybe Bosnia, Israel or Portugal… and France of course (laughs).
On Saturday, on which place did you think France would be?
I honestly think a Top 5 was possible or at least a place into the Top 10. Once again, I undervalued the impact of diaspora and friendly voting. More than ever, people voted with their passport and not with the ears! It will kill the contest. It is like ice-skating a few years ago. One day, a true solution will have to be found. With a bit of economical courage.
So how do you consider the final result ?
Our 47 points are "true points". They should be multiplied by 5! (joke). We are proud to be that high, thanks to Northern Europe. And no one can suspect a "so-called French community" in Estonia, Lithuania or Iceland! Even the UK gave us 2 points. This is great!
I think the contest has to take the artistic point of view more seriously. Many solutions can be submitted. Why not a jury made of "Rest of the world" people, like in Cannes' film festival ? People working in the show business, with no direct interest in the final result.
Ready for Moscow ?
Of course. I love Eurovision as an experience. For me, it is 43 countries meeting each other, 43 different cultures.
The winner's Tour did a stop in France, where Eurovision is not big anymore. What made this possible ?
That was a request of the EBU and all media I've been in touch with said "Yes" at once. That was easier than I hoped it would !
And how did Dima feel in Paris ?
He is a very pleasant guy, not pretentious at all. This trip was in way a good thing after the victory's storm. Being the Eurovision winner in a country where this means nearly nothing spells you have to work hard to reach a new fame.
