Looking For Eric review I Eric Cantona on working with Ken Loach I Full Cannes Film Festival Coverage

The puffed-out chest and imperial strut were unmistakable, even if the collar that had once been distinctively turned up was folded down over a thin Armani tie.

Eric Cantona’s arrival in Cannes for the premiere of Ken Loach’s Looking For Eric prompted the hero worship associated at film festivals with Hollywood stars. Journalists fighting for autographs mobbed the former Manchester United and France footballer after a press conference that had more questions about sport than on cinema.

The first screening of the film was greeted with roars of approval, particularly the line: “I am not a man. I am Cantona.” In his day the charismatic midfielder helped Manchester United to Premier League victory with glorious goals and match-winning passes — and was also famously banned for his kung-fu style kick at a spectator.

After his conviction for assault he explained: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea”.

Looking for Eric is the tale of a Mancunian postman whose life is falling apart until Cantona, his hero, appears to him in hallucinations. The original concept of a film about Cantona’s relationship with a fan came from Cantona and his brothers, who offered it to Loach and his writer Paul Laverty.

The footballer and the director are admirers of each other’s work. According to the producer Rebecca O’Brien, when they met she had to do the talking because “Eric and Ken were both blushing”. Cantona, a long-time film fan, names Loach as one of his favourite directors, along with Pasolini.

Loach, who supports Bath City, said that Cantona “acts as he plays football: with flair and creativity” .

Cantona said that working with Loach was “very similar” to working for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Acting and playing football “are two activities that are totally different. But the way they go about getting 100 per cent out of the actors or the players is very similar.” Ferguson and Loach both excel at “finding new ambitions for the players and actors to ensure that everyone progresses”.

Looking For Eric is Loach’s 23rd film. In 2006 he won won the Palme d’Or for The Wind that Shakes the Barley. He is adored in France.

Cantona has made 14 films since retiring from football. Many have been bit parts and this is his biggest role.

“I have been living with this passion for some time,” Cantona said. “Now it is up to other people to say whether I am a real actor or not. I stopped football at the age of 30 because I lose my passion for the game. The day I’m no longer passionate about acting I will turn my hand to something else.”

In the film, much of Cantona’s dialogue consists of pseudo-proverbs that gently mock his mystique, such as “nobody forgets rock’n’roll” and “he that sows thistles shall reap prickles”.

Yesterday Cantona was asked who would win next week’s Champions League final between United and Barcelona. He smiled. “I will give you a straight answer: Manchester.”

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