Private Project

Coward

Sébastien, in a wheelchair, plays bonneteau (an illegal card game) near the Eiffel Tower.
The bets are getting higher and higher.
Sébastien is confident he can win.

(in partnership with Agefiph, the Fondation Ipsen, the Fondation Malakoff Humanis Handicap and Handicap.fr)

  • Matias de Sa Moreira
    Director
  • Matias de Sa Moreira
    Writer
  • Fabrice Malaval (disabled person)
    Writer
  • Fabrice Malaval (disabled person)
    Key Cast
    "Sébastien (disabled person)"
  • Hélène Morguen
    Key Cast
    "Natacha"
  • Mijatovic Vladimir
    Key Cast
    "Youri"
  • Matias de Sa Moreira
    Key Cast
    "Omar"
  • Marjolaine Pottlitzer (disabled person)
    Key Cast
    "Isabelle (disabled person)"
  • Claire Lemaire (disabled person)
    Key Cast
    "Sofia (disabled person)"
  • Violette Hyounet
    Director of photography
  • Etienne Séguret
    Sound designer
  • Nina Parada
    Make-up artist
  • Madfai Hamza
    Editor
  • Jean-Louis Hennequin
    Post production sound
  • Mathieu Jobard
    Colorist
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Trouillard
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Happy end
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 10, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    France
  • Country of Filming:
    France
  • Shooting Format:
    Numérique
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Art Without Limit International Film Festival (Disability film festival)
    Prishtina
    Kosovo
    December 1, 2024
    European Premiere
  • Paris Courts Devant Festival - France
    Paris
    France
    January 17, 2023
  • Festival du Film Court en Armagnac - France
    Condom
    France
    October 12, 2024
  • Fenêtre sur Courts - Cesson - France
    Cesson
    France
    November 16, 2024
  • Together! 2024 Disability Film Festival - United Kingdom
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 7, 2024
    United Kingdom
Director Biography - Matias de Sa Moreira

Born in 1976, I grew up in a family of 10 children with very cinephile parents.

Initially attracted by the cinema of reality, I completed a Master's degree in creative documentary filmmaking (Creadoc), under the guidance of director Mariana Otero. I shot a documentary entitled "A la maison", in which I tackled the question of filiation by following a young pregnant woman who gives birth to her fourth child at home. Ultimately, my aim is to show how the family unit shapes us from the very first day of our existence.

Following on from a photographic workshop, I shot a documentary film at a job placement in Marcoussis, Essonne, entitled "Rebondir" ("Bouncing Back"). By following the careers of five people with atypical profiles, I question the meaning of the word "integration".

After documentary filmmaking, I turned to fiction in order to master character acting and write my own dialogues. I have made several films for the Nikon Festival, the Mobile Film Festival, Paris Courts Devant and TF1's Imagine competition. These films enable me to develop my characterization, improve my directing and strengthen my commitment to comedy.

To improve my skills, I took part in an acting course at the Maison du Film Court, directed by A. Prioul (3 weeks). I learn the subtleties of acting and the need to clarify my intentions. I also attended a workshop on screenwriting (directed by J.C. Baumerder and J.P. Ronssin) and took part in R. McKee's Story seminar.

At the same time, I'm embarking on a career as an actor. I attended the Blanche Salant and Paul Weaver international drama workshop in Paris, and I regularly act for TV and film.

In 2021, I'm creating a collective of actors called "Demain on réplique". We organize professional meetings with casting directors, directors and scriptwriters. A time for collective work and research.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

About ten years ago, I made a film for the ODASS association, which organizes disability awareness campaigns throughout France. For several days, I sporting challenges, such as a wheelchair basketball game or a running race for the visually impaired. It was incredible. I fell head over heels. My preconceptions shattered. The mobility, dynamism and energy were simply fascinating.

As a director, I kept this idea of directing a handicapped person
who would surprise the viewer. A desire to surprise, to go against the grain.

The film Trouillard was born of this desire.
And then I wanted to push things further...

The game of bonneteau has always fascinated me. Everyone knows it's a scam, and yet you're still yet you still want to try your luck. These people are very clever and use many stratagems to win over the public. I've watched them from the corner
of my eye. They're generally ruthless and won't hesitate to rip anyone off. But when faced with a person in a wheelchair, would their attitude change?