Broadcast on Canal+ on Tuesday January 3, 2023 at 9:10 p.m., the film Tenor by Claude Zidi Jr., last son of the director of the cult The Under-Gifted, Claude Zidi, and brother of Julien Zidi who died in 2021, stages the adventures of Antoine Zerkaoui (played by MB14, finalist of The Voice in 2016), resident of Bondy on the outskirts of Paris, who shares his life between his studies of accounting, small bets on underground street fights, a job as a delivery boy in a sushi restaurant and, above all, the composition of texts for fiery rap battles, his true passion. One day, to replace one of his colleagues, he agrees to make a delivery for Joséphine Olchevsky (played by Marie Oppert), a young opera singer, at the Opéra Garnier. While he is taken to task by a friend of the young woman, he responds in rhythmic improvisation before showing a real talent for singing, arousing the interest of Marie Loyseau (Michèle Laroque, very noticed in Angoulême) , a lyrical artist who attends the scene. Meeting with MB14 who, for Tele-Leisurelooks back on his journey and this first cinematographic experience.
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MB14 on his professional dream: “I must have realized at 14 that I didn’t have the level…“
Tele-Leisure : Tell us a bit about your background. You were born on June 19, 1994, under the name of Mohamed Belkhir…
MB14: Yes. I come from a modest family in Amiens. My father is of Algerian origin and my mother of Portuguese origin. Like many children, I had two passions, football and video games. I dreamed of becoming a professional football player, but I had to realize at 14 that I didn’t have the level…
When did you discover beatboxing, this technique of making music with your voice?
In 2007 watching beatboxer Poolpo at New star. For three years, I made them all alone in my room. At 18, I start and buy a looper [une console qui permet de répéter de façon illimitée une séquence musicale, ndlr].
MB14 on the origin of his nickname: “I took my initials, MB, and added my lucky number, 14“
Is that when you take your MB14 nickname?
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Yes, in tribute to my idols Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. They call themselves CR7 and R10. Me, I took my initials, MB, and I added my favorite number, 14.
You make yourself known with The Voicein 2016. Do you have a good memory of it?
I was able to do what I wanted. For example, I remember my duet with Kendji Girac on his song Mama’s Eyes. And I finished second behind Slimane, it was unexpected!
Is this where the producer of Tenor spot you?
Indeed, in 2017, Raphaël Benoliel contacted me so that I could pass tests with the director Claude Zidi Jr. Then, for four years, nothing! I had to wait until 2021 to be told that I had the role. I burst into tears!
MB14, opera singer in Tenor : “I worked on diction, posture, breathing“
You play as a rapper who becomes an opera singer. Going from rap to lyrical singing, didn’t that scare you?
Yes, but I have always listened to classical music, I was familiar with it. I lacked the technique. So I took intensive lessons with Caroline Fèvre, the opera singer. I worked on diction, posture, breathing. For some scenes, it’s true that I got scared! [Il rit.]
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The result is successful, since you were one of the fifteen actors selected for the revelations to the Caesar 2023!
Even if I am ultimately not selected among those who will compete for the César for best male hope, it is an honor to be on this list. But my primary goal is to continue shooting films and series. Fingers crossed !
The film Tenor can be found on Canal + and MyCanal.
