Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis

Successful film screened at the Elysee Palace. April 2008

On 29 March 2008, a banner at the Stade de France stadium during the PSG-RC Lens match read: “Pedophiles, unemployed and inbred: welcome to Ch’ti country“.  In the middle of the triumphant success of Dany Boon’s film this was more than mere provocation. On April 15, 2008 the Elysee Palace organized with Carla Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy, a screening of Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis in the presence of representatives of the north of France, entrepreneurs and local elected representatives including Sylvie Brachet, mayor of Bergues, which is the setting for the film. Dany Boon and his wife were also present. With its 20.4 million tickets sold  in France (outperforming La Grande Vadrouille) and a presentation at the opening of the Hollywood festival City of Lights, City of Angels, the immense success of the film left opinion divided. A few months later another sort of quarrel opposed those in favor of art house cinema and those for popular cinema: one single nomination (best original screenplay) for the 2009 César awards. Until the very last minute Dany Boon snubbed the awards before coming to the Châtelet Theatre in a tuxedo jacket and orange sweatpants. He left … empty-handed. But he was the winner of the biggest returns for French cinema in 2008: €26 million.