Today : Mar 16, 2025
Arts & Culture
16 March 2025

Enya Baroux Launches Debut Film Amid Comedy Game Show Premieres

New releases highlight the vibrancy of French entertainment with diverse narratives.

Enya Baroux, a talented 34-year-old filmmaker, is currently making waves with her first feature film, titled On ira, which was released in theaters on March 12, 2025. This film stars notable actors such as Pierre Lottin and Hlne Vincent and marks the culmination of seven years of hard work, including writing, securing funding, and casting decisions.

Enya Baroux is not only the daughter of renowned comedian and director Olivier Baroux but also the goddaughter of famous comedian Kad Merad, making her upbringing steeped in the world of cinema and humor from the very beginning. She laid the groundwork for her artistic endeavors by studying at the cole Suprieure de Ralisation Audiovisuelle (ESRA) from 2010 to 2013. Throughout her early career, she also gained valuable experience as an assistant director for over five years before transitioning to acting.

Before her foray as writer and director, Baroux appeared in various productions such as Le Doudou (2018) and 10 jours sans maman (2019), showcasing her versatile talent. Notably, she secured the leading female role in the popular series Le Visiteur du futur (2022). Her talent as both actress and director came to fruition with her short films Cache-Cash (2018) and Ton Lapin (2019), the latter of which she co-directed with Martin Darondeau.

Fostering her creative talents, Baroux devised the mini-series Fleur Bleue in 2024, which is available on platforms like YouTube and MyCanal. This comedy series explores sensitive topics like racism and consent through the lens of relatable life experiences.

Reflecting on her inspiration for On ira, Baroux stated, "I’ve dreamed of directing since I was 18 years old, which is why I went to film school. After losing my grandmother, who was very dear to me, I felt compelled to write about her, but I struggled to define the film's focus until I realized I could deal with themes of loss and family through humor." She added, "This isn’t just about mourning; it’s about observing life from a different perspective. The universal nature of this experience allows us to laugh through the pain of loss. Integrally, it helps to disassociate the sorrow, even briefly, through comedy, which is the essence of On ira."

Asked about her style, Baroux noted, "I grew up surrounded by popular comedy, yet I always felt the pressure to create films considered more 'serious' by cinema elites. Comedic narratives can convey important messages without losing their essence or robbing the humor. I personally find joy and merit in blending laughter with poignant moments, capturing life’s ups and downs effectively." She elaborated, "I believe making people smile, even subtly, during trying times is something truly special; it’s about sharing moments of joy amid grief."

While Enya Baroux’s On ira was being launched, another exciting project was making its debut on Prime Video. On March 14, 2025, the new French humor game series, Liars Club, premiered, drawing audiences with its unique concept. This show gathers five pairs of comedians, actors, and video creators, challenging them to discover the only true story among three anecdotes shared by each duo, offering plenty of laughter as participants attempt to identify tall tales.

Created by Endemol France, known for hits like LOL : qui rit, sort !, Liars Club consists of six 30-minute episodes. Ahmed Sylla, who participated, expressed his preference for this new format over the previous one, making participants wonder if it’s the novelty of the format or simple national pride driving his enjoyment. "It’s not about surprise but about convincingness—how well you can pull off your 'story'."

The cast features notables like Kad Merad and Olivier Baroux. Oulaya Amamra, expressing excitement about working with Merad, gushed, "He completely surpassed my expectations! It was incredible to witness his acting prowess firsthand."

Melha Bedia, dubbed as the ‘mythomaniac’ by her peers, recounts her experience preparing for the show, stating, "I aimed to craft my stories to mislead the maximum number of people possible, enhancing our performance as storytellers." Sylla humorously chimed, sharing the secret to effective storytelling: “Don't act like us; learn from our mishaps instead!”

Throughout the final episode, viewer engagement builds as pairs of participants will vote for which tale they believe to be genuine, adding another level of competition as the most discerning pair can win €50,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. This exciting premise encourages humor, wit, and pleasure as the audience immerses themselves in the experiences of truly entertaining talent.

Enya Baroux’s aspirations and accomplishments alongside the launch of engagements like Liars Club exemplify the thriving artistic culture within the French entertainment industry, underlining the endless potential for unique storytelling and innovation.