“I tried to make the absent present”: the moving film tribute to the life of Cédric Rosalen, who died suddenly at the age of 43

L'ancien rugbyman Cédric Rosalen, un homme qui recueillait l'unanimité. MAXPPP TEAMSHOOT

The film “Rose” is being previewed this Sunday at the Narbonne theater. “Her modesty, her respect, there was in her depth the very essence of humanity, someone fundamentally attached to nature,” assures the director Etienne Garcia.

His Fernandel-like smile, nourished by a singing accent, his extreme kindness in all circumstances, his immoderate love for nature, his unwavering loyalty to Gruissan, his passion for rugby… Cédric Rosalen is no more, and yet, the memory of his life will resurface full screen, this Sunday at the Narbonne theater, in a tribute film broadcast in preview one year after his death, on January 9, 2024.

Following the sporting tribute organized by the RCN on February 24, 2024, “we wanted to make the absent present”, presents Etienne Garcia, the director of “Rose”, a one-and-a-quarter-hour feature film that is intended to be “spiritual”, like an “initiatory journey” in the footsteps of “Pèque”. “I didn't want to make an archive film, we hardly see Cédric in my film. In fact, it's a film about life, death does not exist. In that, it is unique. That is to say that the soul is present, I really sought to make the absent present, to accompany the mourning.”

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He's someone who touched a lot of people

The emotion aroused by the sudden death of the former fly-half of Narbonne, Perpignan, Montauban and Carcassonne (then coach of Aviron Gruissanais and Corbières XV), taken at the age of 43 by a pulmonary embolism, has remained alive in the Aude department, particularly for Etienne Garcia (34 years old), a Racing fan, who has very specific memories, such as this record of 32 points scored against Montauban in the orange jersey, one evening in November 2006.

A contagious generosity and authenticity

But “Rose” was much more than a goal-scorer, he especially exuded a contagious generosity and authenticity, going against the grain of a professionalism increasingly subject to the dictates of communication. “A great guy”, as they say, who was unanimously acclaimed.

He contained in his depth the very essence of humanity, someone fundamentally attached to nature

“In reality, he is someone who touched a lot of people, Etienne Garcia assures us today, supported by Bon Sens Productions, executive producer of the film.He is one of those extremely strong characters for a society, without being a public figure. You mention his name, it resonates with you, whether you are an athlete or not. His modesty, his respect, there was in his depth the very essence of humanity, someone fundamentally attached to nature.”

 

861 contributors

And (human) nature has given him back, like the 861 contributors who helped collect the 30,000 euros needed to make a film that will travel throughout the department starting on February 2. Born in Ouveillan, a child of Gruissan, emblem of Racing Club Narbonne, Cédric Rosalen has not finished rooting his memory in the lands he has married.

The film poster, suggestive and enigmatic, shows a child called to dream in all humility. From behind and in the distance, we must recognize his former teammates Julien Candelon and Gonzalo Quesada. A clue for the narration of a destiny that raised simplicity to the top of the Everest of feelings. “Rose” could not deserve a better nickname.

Sunday at the Narbonne theater (1,600 people) – two sold-out screenings at 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.