Gérald le Conquérant: Fabrice Éboué's Film Now Available on DVD

Despite its underwhelming performance at the box office, Fabrice Éboué's mockumentary, Gérald le Conquérant, is now available on DVD through Wild Side, and it certainly deserves a viewing. The film cleverly critiques the rise of nationalism while employing dark and caustic humor to examine the mechanisms at play.

A Bold Mockumentary in Éboué's Distinctive Style

Popular comedian Fabrice Éboué has made a name for himself in cinema with a variety of unique projects. His filmography includes socially relevant comedies like Case Départ (2011) and Le Crocodile du Botswanga (2014), as well as the ensemble satire Coexister (2017). Éboué has explored various sub-genres of comedy while maintaining his signature provocative humor. This reached new heights in Barbaque (2021), a French psycho killer movie where a couple of butchers kill and sell the bodies of vegans, creating a bloody yet amusing tale.

While his films have not always been massive hits, many have developed cult followings thanks to their societal relevance, sharp writing, and boldness. Éboué exhibits plenty of audacity in his latest work, _Gérald le Conquérant, a mockumentary centered around a Norman enthusiast eager to build an amusement park dedicated to William the Conqueror. Through the glorification of the Duke of Normandy, who became King of England in the 11th century, the filmmaker illustrates how certain historical figures are manipulated to serve a hyperbolic nationalism.

Box Office Failure or Future Cult Classic?

Gérald le Conquérant is not Éboué's first venture into the realm of mockumentaries. He previously contributed to the creation and writing of the series Inside Jamel Comedy Club in 2011, which provided a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic show. His style, which blends insightful commentary with playful absurdity, has matured over the years, even as scenes of exploding cows with Molotov cocktails seem to amuse him. The film is reminiscent of the documentary series Strip-tease, pushing the envelope of its subject matter, and is significantly bolstered by Éboué's performance in the lead role.

The supporting cast, including Alexandra Roth and Logan Lefèbvre, also delivers commendable performances as Gérald's partner and stepson, respectively. They embody the naive rural characters in a caricature that is less harsh than it may seem. With only 78,000 admissions, Gérald le Conquérant struggled to find its audience in theaters, likely due to the mockumentary format, which has not traditionally resonated with French audiences, despite the cult status of certain films like C’est arrivé près de chez vous. However, the recent DVD and VOD release may breathe new life into the film, much like it did for Barbaque before it.

Gérald le Conquérant is now available on DVD from Wild Side at a price of €14.99.