Jamel Debbouze Returns to Screen in "The New Toy" Alongside Daniel Auteuil

In this film, the Moroccan comedian plays Sami, a night watchman, whose destiny will take a different turn thanks to Alexandre, the youngest son of the richest man in France, played by Daniel Auteuil. Used to giving in to his son’s slightest whims, he said yes when young Alexandre told him he had decided to choose a night watchman as his "toy".

This is a windfall for Sami, who for the tidy sum of 2000 euros per day, allows himself to be drawn in, bowing to all the demands of an authoritative young boy who expects his "New Toy" to provide services commensurate with the sum paid. "The New Toy" is a film inspired by another titled "Toy", a comedy released in 1976. Unlike Alexandre, the capricious child of the time is named Éric. His "toy" was an unemployed journalist, played on screen by Pierre Richard. That of the richest man in France was Michel Bouquet.

This version of the "toy" is a production by Francis Veber. A film that upon its release had caused a sensation to the point of being nominated in three categories at the Césars in 1977: best original screenplay, best sets and best cinematography. Before the version in which Jamel Debbouze plays, the film had an American remake. Titled "The Toy", it was directed by Richard Donner and released in 1982.

For Jamel Debbouze, this will be a busy return to the cinema. In addition to the film in which he is the "toy" of a capricious child, he also shot the film "Citizen of Honor" by Mohamed Hamidi, which is scheduled for release on September 14 in theaters. It is a film that tells the story of a Nobel Prize winner in literature who, after 40 years spent away from his family, decides to return to his native village in Algeria.