Éric Sivar

QUICK BIO: He knows all the dialogues of Audiard’s films by heart…and every street in Lyon. His calm demeanor and sense of humor are the best remedies for the stress of traffic jams. After five years with the festival, Éric Sivar has become one of its key volunteers as a chauffeur. A seasoned film buff, this young retiree who hails from Sail-sous-Couzan in the Loire region has all the qualities needed to join our teams. A regular at the Institut Lumière and a fan of Claude Sautet, Éric has been a loyal supporter of the festival from its inception: “I love classics such as films starring Belmondo, Delon and Gabin, but I also enjoy discovering works of all genres.” This former IT technician at the Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL) admits he never misses an edition of the daily festival newspaper: “Every day, I post the quiz on the family WhatsApp chat and give a little gift to the winner of the day!” His best memory behind the wheel of the white Peugeot of the festival? “When I drove actor Jacques Gamblin to a screening at the TNP in Villeurbanne, he was very nervous about giving his introduction speech, and I felt like I helped put him at ease. I have wonderful memories of that.” Even though Éric cheers for the “Green” team of the AS Saint-Étienne soccer team, rival of OL, it’s the red of his volunteer uniform that really makes his cinephile heart skip a beat.

MY FAVORITE FILMMAKERS: Jacques Audiard, Steven Spielberg, and I absolutely love Claude Sautet’s films: Max and the Junkmen, The Things of Life, Vincent, François, Paul and the Others… they’re such classics!

THE MOVIE THEATER WHERE I DISCOVERED THE CINEMA: It was “L’Entract’” movie theater in Boën-sur-Lignon. As a child, I also used to attend screenings held at the community center in Sail-sous-Couzan.

MY GO-TO FILM: With no hesitation: Crooks in Clover by Georges Lautner, I must have seen it around thirty times; my friends and I know all the lines by heart!

ON VOLUNTEERING: For fifteen years, I was active in the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations (FCPE). I also served as an assistant coach for the AS Couzan soccer club for several years. What I love most is meeting people and being able to help others.

MY MISSIONS AT THE FESTIVAL: I’m a chauffeur for the festival guests and partners.

 — Interview by Laura Lépine