Mounir Kateb, 30 years old today, is a child from Thionville, where he lived until the age of 21. After a BTS Commerce International obtained at La Providence, he left for Nancy for a license. “Thanks to this diploma, I got a CDI in Paris in a bank, where I take care of import-export. I still work there, even if at the beginning it was part-time to give me time to follow the Florent courses (famous drama school, Editor’s note). “Because Mounir’s passion is cinema. “In my family, we watched a lot of movies at home, we often went to the cinema. And it took me a while to admit it to myself, but Titanic was a revelation for me (laughs). Since then, I watch movies whenever I can. Already in Thionville he had set up a small theater company. “It was at a very amateur level. We mainly performed for friends. “
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“Store experience”
With nine weeks off a year, he manages to juggle his job and his passion. “Unfortunately, life in Paris does not allow me to live exclusively from my roles, because it is a little more expensive here than in Thionville (laughs). »Also, he connects short films, like The lost dog by François Mitterrand, broadcast on France 2, or the mini-series. “I’m not ashamed to say it, but I shot an episode of Secrets between neighbors. Moreover, even Camille Cottin (Bitch, princess of hearts) did. This allows me to gain experience and the director team is made up of pros who carry out their professional project to the end. “
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” The best day of my life “
A year ago, referred by his artistic agent, who has since retired, he participates in the casting of the film The mum, directed by Jean-Paul Salomé (Arsène Lupin, The Robbers, etc.). His performance seduced the director, who hired him. It’s a small role, but a huge meeting. “This is the opening scene of the film, which allows to present the character of Isabelle Huppert: a translator who takes part in the interrogation of a dealer, me in this case. Isabelle even learned Arabic for the occasion. The night before the shoot, Mounir admits to having been so stressed that he did not sleep a blind eye. “To my surprise, while she could very well have returned to her dressing room once her game was over, she insisted on staying, in order to give us the answer, while she no longer appears on the screen. It was hypergenerous of her. At the end of the shots she said to me: “Congratulations, you played very well.” For me, it was the best day of my life! I already knew what a huge actress she is, but while everyone imagines her cold, I discovered on the contrary a super pro, available. “
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“I still believe in it”
Also amazed by its composition, Jean-Paul Salomé decides to introduce him to his agent, Élisabeth Tanner, one of the most influential figures in the business. The appointment is made, now there is more than.
“It’s a very difficult job with few elected officials, but I still believe in it”, loose Mounir, more determined than ever. His ultimate dream? “Win the Palme d’Or for interpretation in Cannes! “As Paul Éluard wrote:” A dream without a star is a forgotten dream. “
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