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The aristocrat and businessman died at the age of 72. Quadriplegic since 1993 following a paragliding accident, he told his story in a book published in 2001. It will be adapted for the screen 10 years later in the film Intouchables.
Directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache announced the sad news last Friday on their Twitter account. “We have just learned with great sadness the disappearance of our friend Philippe Pozzo di Borgo. By accepting that we adapt his story in Intouchables, he changed our lives and the lives of many vulnerable and fragile people”.
We have just learned with great sadness the disappearance of our friend Philippe Pozzo di Borgo. By accepting that we adapt his story in Intouchables, he changed our lives and the lives of many vulnerable and fragile people. pic.twitter.com/jpawVKKyun
— Toledano Nakache (@ToledanoNakache) June 2, 2023
The businessman turned writer had lost the use of his legs after a paragliding accident in 1993. A few years later, after the death of his wife, he decided to hire a personal assistant to help him in his daily life. He befriends Abdel Yasmin Sellou, who will help him get out of his depression. A beautiful story that he will tell in his book The Second Wind (Bayard) released in 2001. Almost 10 years later, directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache decided to make a film of it. Philippe Pozzo di Borgo is interpreted by the excellent François Cluzet and Abdel Yasmin Sellou by Omar Sy, who is then only a star of the small screen.
The film is a national and worldwide success. More than 19 million spectators go to dark rooms to see Untouchables. It was sold in 50 countries, with unexpected success in Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy). It has also been adapted in the United States (The Upside).