Serge Betsen, 2007

A word about the work

( REF : GRAN001)
A few months before the 2007 Rugby World Cup held in France. L’Équipe Magazine commissioned a series of portraits of the French national rugby team players for a portfolio to be published on the morning of the opening match. Twelve of the best-known players spent time in front of the master’s lens. Richard Escot, special correspondent for the magazine and rugby specialist, was the go-between as well as writing the texts. Drawing on his good relationship with the players, he persuaded them to devote some time to the shoot. He showed them the photographer’s work and let them get a feel for the ambition of the project. He arranged the appointments.
Several trips south were made, including one to Biarritz Olympique who housed a nest of international players. Five of them were included in the series of portraits : Dimitri Yachvili (who sadly ended up not playing in the World Cup and whose portrait was therefore never published), Imanol Harinordoquy, Damien Traille, Jérôme Thion and of course Serge Betsen.
The photo was shot in March 2007 at Biarritz Olympique stadium in Aguilera, France.

« We met at the stadium where the players had gathered before heading off to chill out together before a major match.
Serge Betsen turned up in the club’s suit an hour before they were due to leave. I asked him to change straight away and showed him a patch of grass right next to the main pitch (far too well-kept) that hadn’t quite digested winter… I wanted to portray him as a warrior, true to his legend. As a steely storm was brewing on the horizon, he willingly lay down in a big puddle I had found. I was also lying down in the mud to get the angle I wanted and he couldn’t shy away from the shoot. He went along with it, much to the amusement of the players and team staff who watched from the warmth of the bus. A water spray to get him wet, and a bit of fake blood added the final touch to the scene. I had my shot ».

Jean-Denis’s choice

Everything is fake and yet it is oh so real. And that is exactly what I love about this larger than life portrait of Serge Betsen. Beyond its strength and beauty, it’s sophisticated staging is there purely to establish the truth and reveal the real nature of this outstanding champion. The portrait is in true keeping with the man, but also speaks about rugby. A rugby of mud, confrontation and courage where you give your all. In short, Serge Betsen’s rugby.