Lilian Thuram

A word about the work

( REF : PGRI004)
July 2006, a few days after the World Cup final, and a few days before joining FC Barcelona, his new club, Lilian Thuram pays his respects at the « door of no return » which was built in 1995 on the beach in Ouidah, Benin. It is a majestic and moving memorial to the slaves who left Africa from here for Brazil and the West Indies.
His dream of coming to Africa in search of his roots had come true. It was a personal and introspective journey, raising questions of negritude, as well as a charity visit as Ambassador for the French organisation which fights sickle-cell anaemia, the genetic blood disorder affecting many West Indians. A journey that took him to Dakar in Senegal, Johannesburg in South Africa, then Cotonou and Ouidah in Benin and finally Lomé in Togo. In each town he visited hospitals and dispensaries. And not much football…
The feature that this photo is taken from was produced for L’Équipe Magazine and published on the 5th August 2006. The cover headline read, « Lilian Thuram, a journey to Africa ».

Françoise Inizan’s account, special correspondent for L’Équipe magazine.
Patrick Gripe chose to stand at a distance on this long beach that Liliam Thuram was visiting. He let the player pay his respects alone at the « door of no return » , the famous memorial arch to slaves deported from Benin to the American continent. He left him to walk along the ochre sand, alone with his thoughts. As usual he was invisible, far from the scene. The discretion of his round eye – in his round face – which produced such an intense photographic style. He managed to capture the emotion of the moment. That of Lilian Thuram, both meditative and overwhelmed.

Jean-Denis’s choice

A typical Patrick Gripe portrait, shot without the subject knowing, documentary-style, in order to keep the image natural and authentic. A discreet, unobtrusive viewpoint so he didn’t have to establish a direct relationship with his subject. Patrick was very shy and never comfortable shooting posed potraits. The resulting image is strong and full of emotion. It is hard to not be moved by it.