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Kim Jong-un "in serious danger after surgery"? South Korea is skeptical
One site claims that the North Korean leader has undergone a heart procedure, but South Korea has not seen any particular movement.

Life is running its course in North Korea and nothing unusual has been observed there. The South Korean government appeared skeptical on Tuesday, April 21, after CNN's claims about the state of health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Citing a source in the US administration, the news channel reported that Washington "is studying information" that Mr. Kim "may be in serious danger after surgery" .

The day before, a Seoul-based specialist site, Daily NK , said, citing a source in North Korea, that Kim had undergone a heart procedure on April 12 in a hospital in Hyangsan County, north of Pyongyang. . The leader would recover in a residence close to the establishment specializing in the care of the ruling family. Doctors reportedly returned to the capital because Kim Jong-un was recovering.

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"We have nothing to confirm on the rumors concerning the health problems of the leader Kim Jong-un, reported by certain media. No particular movement has been reported in North Korea , ” said Kang Min-seok, spokesman for the South Korean presidency. The defense and unification ministries declined to comment. Intelligence services doubt the information given.

No tribute to Kim Il-sung

A former source of American intelligence for his part confirmed to the specialized site NK News that the United States "closely monitors" the health of Kim Jong-un, but that it was necessary to remain cautious about the information given.

Speculation about his health have gained momentum after April 15, day of the 108 th anniversary of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung (1912-1994), the founder of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK , official name of North Korea). Kim Jong-un would not have paid the traditional tribute to Kim Il-sung at the Palace of the Sun Kumsusan. "This is unthinkable in normal times, because it is the most important political event for the North Korean, dynastic and Stalinist regime," said Cheong Seong-chang, researcher at the South Korean Sejong Institute.

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Kim Jong-un's last public appearance dates back to April 11, when he chaired a meeting of the ruling Labor Party’s political bureau, calling for “strict national measures” against the coronavirus.

A “disappearance” in 2014

The official North Korean news agency, KCNA, also reported on April 12 its visit to an air base in the west of the country. According to the agency, it would have sent on April 20, his "warmest congratulations and greetings comrade," the Cuban president, Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, on the occasion of his 60 th birthday. According to NK News , local media reported the leader's activities the day after they were organized.

"He probably has a health problem, but it doesn't matter," said Cheong Seong-chang. Her overweight and smoking regularly fuel rumors about her condition. He had "disappeared" forty days in September-October 2014. He reappeared with a cane and, a few days later, the South Korean intelligence services claimed that he had undergone ankle surgery.

During his forty days of absence, recalls NK News, a message had circulated, suggesting that he was in a “brain dead” state after a failed intervention. The same rumor began to circulate again on April 18.

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3 men and a basket on France 2 at 2 p.m .: which actors refused to play in this film?

 "3 men and a basket" is broadcast this afternoon on France 2. On this occasion, back on the (very laborious) casting phase of this cult comedy.

Very big success in 1985, with more than 10 million admissions in France,  3 men and a basket sees three hardened bachelors from Paris leading a carefree life until the arrival of an infant in their daily life… A on the occasion of the broadcast of this comedy, this afternoon on France 2, return to its most incredible casting phase. *

ScreenshotAndré Dussollier, Michel Boujenah and Roland Giraud

To play Michel, the cartoonist of comics, Coline Serreau quickly thought of Michel Boujenah , whom she knew from the theater. The actor, meanwhile, was won over by the project and was therefore delighted to take part in it. Finding the interpreters for the other two main characters turned out to be much more complex.

The director of the cinema subsidiary of TF1 (who co-produced the film), Roger Larrieu, suggested to producer  Jean-François Lepetit to hire  Roland Giraud to camp Pierre, the architect. But Coline Serreau, not wanting someone to dictate her choices, opposed this idea.

Lepetit then proposed the role to Daniel Auteuil , who was tempted, but ended up joining Claude Berri to replace Coluche in Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources. Other big stars, including Gérard Depardieu ,  Guy Bedos and Jacques Villeret , were in turn asked, but refused.

Coline Serreau also contacted Françis Perrin , with whom she had played in the theater in "We made the wrong love story" , but, again, things did not happen. So she decided to come back to Roland Giraud, explaining that he was sorry not to have chosen him before ...

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For the role of Jacques (the baby's biological father), several big names were again considered, including Christophe Lambert , Jean-Pierre Bacri ,  Lambert Wilson and Thierry Lhermitte , who all declined. Coline Serreau then turned to Jean-Claude Brialy , who accepted.

But ... Jean-François Lepetit, annoyed at not having been consulted, put his veto. Last twist: the film's press secretary, Danielle Gain , suggested André Dussolier (he wanted to play in a comedy after several performances in the dramatic register), who inherited the character.

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If Three men and a basket enjoyed a phenomenal commercial success, he also won three Cesar: Best film, Best screenplay and Best supporting role (Michel Boujenah). Also named to the Golden Globes and the Oscars, the film was the subject of an American remake,  Three men and a baby (which will be followed by Like Fathers, Like Daughter ), and a sequel,  18 years later (2003 ).

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