The director and comedian, motorcycle racing fan and loyal reader of our site, fractured his pelvis in Spain when hitting a horse.
Benoît, who wrote and directed with Gustave Kervern the films Aaltra, Avida, Louise-Michel, Mammuth, Le Grand Soir, Near Death Experience and Saint-Amour, is also known for his acting talents (Michael Kael). He is also a big fan of motorcycle sport, practicing it himself, but a Spanish horse came to intervene.
“I had been filming my film near Pau for a month, explains Benoît, and not far from Serge Nuques, the Chevalier du Groland. I called him. He was doing a mountain driving course and I joined him. These are very good courses, with around fifteen bikers, and he explains very well the trajectories for riding on the road in complete safety. I've learned things while riding motorcycles for 40 years.
“Little by little, we climbed the mountain. We arrived at the top of the passes in the fog, then we went back down to Spain. And then something happened to me, even with the most advanced driving lessons in the world, it's not possible to do anything.
“There was a horse grazing peacefully by the side of the road. Suddenly he jumped the road safety barrier and found himself right in front of me. I took it head on. The shock was heavy, I flew, and I had my pelvis and a collarbone broken.
“I was in a hospital in Spain, then transferred to Angoulême hospital, and finally home since yesterday. Fortunately for the film, we were at the end, and as we make films together with Gustave Kervern, he was able to take over.”
The entire Paddock-GP team wishes Benoît an excellent convalescence and a speedy recovery.
