The film is loosely based on the book of the same name (1957) and the real-life events it was based on, but most of its plot is fictionalized.

How true is the movie The Intouchables?

The plot of the film is inspired by the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his French-Algerian caregiver Abdel Sellou, discovered by the directors in À la vie, à la mort, a documentary film.

Are Philippe and Abdel still friends?

At the end of the film, we see the real millionaire and his assistant. They are still friends, even though they don't see each other as often as they used to. The men left France: Abdel returned to Algeria where he opened a bird farm, and Philippe moved to Morocco.

Why does Driss leave Philippe?

This leads Driss to explain to Philippe the whole truth about his past, which leads Philippe to let Driss go. He says that Driss' family needs him and Driss needs to be there for his family rather than spending his whole life taking care of Philippe. Driss returns to the suburbs and Philippe hires a new caregiver.

Did they actually paraglide in The Intouchables?

Paragliding like in the movie 'Intouchables'

Guess what, you can have the exact same experience. This part of the movie was shot at 'our' mountain. On the top 'our' Mont Bisanne you can start of your paragliding adventure. The paragliding experts of Les Volatiles in Les Saisies participated in the movie 'Intouchables'.

The difference between the real story and the film "The Intouchables" The story

How did Philippe Pozzo di Borgo become paralyzed?

As the descendant of two prominent French families and director of a legendary vineyard, Philippe Pozzo di Borgo was not in the habit of asking for help. Then, in 1993, right on the heels of his beloved wife's diagnosis of a terminal illness, a paragliding accident left him a quadriplegic.

Are there two versions of The Intouchables?

The Upside is a 2017 American comedy-drama film directed by Neil Burger, written by Jon Hartmere. It is a remake of the French 2011 film The Intouchables, which was itself inspired by the lives of Abdel Sallou and Philippe Pozzo di Borgo.

Why is The Intouchables so popular?

And rather than try to revive the New Wave or emulate Hollywood like most widely seen French films of late, "Intouchables" harnesses its core strengths - ease with intimacy, willingness to ridicule anything and brutal honesty - and delivers one of the funniest, most honest and touching films I have ever seen.

What is the disability in The Intouchables?

The movie “The Intouchables”, a film directed by French screenwriters Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, is based on a touching true story of a wealthy business man living with quadriplegia and his unorthodox caregiver, Driss.

Where is Abdel Sellou now?

Abdel Sellou now lives in Algeria with his wife and three children, where he runs a chicken farm. He remains close to Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, who lives in Morocco with his second wife and two children.

Is Philippe Pozzo still alive?

Philippe di Borgo became a quadriplegic in 1993 following a paragliding accident. Because of his disability, he attempted to commit suicide by wrapping an oxygen tube around his neck. In July 2012, he was appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour. Pozzo di Borgo died on 1 June 2023, at the age of 72.

What happened to Philippe in The Intouchables?

Philippe, the son of a French duke, became quadriplegic following a paragliding accident in 1993. At first, he didn't adjust well to his disability, once attempting suicide by wrapping his oxygen tube around his neck.

Why did they remake the intouchables?

The success of the Intouchables

The Intouchables was the top-grossing foreign film in North America in 2012, the year it was released grossing a whopping $7.11 million in the US & Canada. To this day it's the most profitable movie in the French movie industry. No wonder Hollywood decided to make their own version.

Who is the real Driss in the intouchables?

Although the real-life 'Driss' was a young Algerian man called Abdel, directors Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache changed the character's nationality to Senegalese, as they had enjoyed working with Omar Sy on Tellement proches (2009), and really wanted him to play the part.

How does Driss change in Intouchables?

Driss, on the other hand, learns from Philippe to look after the people he cares about the most, his family and friends. He starts to appreciate the finer details in life and create an ambition to do better for himself and his family. Both their lives becomes brighter and clearer as they travel their journey together.

What nationality is Driss in the intouchables?

Although the real-life 'Driss' was a young Algerian man called Abdel, directors Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache changed the character's nationality to Senegalese, as they had enjoyed working with Omar Sy on Tellement proches (2009), and really wanted him to play the part.

What does the title of the intouchables mean?

Intouchable (untouchable) is a direct reference to a pariah, a member of the lowest cast, pushed to the sidelines of society. The fact that the title refers to untouchables in the plural draws a parallel between Driss and Philippe. Both characters are pariahs, but for different reasons.

Where is Driss from Intouchables?

Driss opens up to Philippe about his family and his past as an orphan in Senegal, who was adopted by his then-childless aunt and uncle and brought back to France. His adoptive parents later began having children of their own, his uncle died and his aunt bore still more children.

What is the message of The Intouchables?

Its messages about the healing power of hope, friendship and humor and learning to see the possibilities, not the limitations, bear repeating in any language. In French with English subtitles. Opens today at the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill. Omar Sy and Francois Cluzet in "The Intouchables."

Can kids watch The Intouchables?

Know your kid. There are about 10 uses of the f-word (in subtitles), very infequent. This movie goes a thin line between PG-13 and R. If there was no language, it was PG-13 for drug abuse and some mild sex references.

What's the difference between The Upside and The Intouchables?

In perhaps the biggest change between the two films, the character of the assistant is made more important to Phillip in The Upside. Here, his assistant is played by Nicole Kidman, which might be why she is bumped up to a potential love interest role.

Why did Philippe hire Driss?

However, maybe to teach him a lesson, Philippe decided to give Driss a chance to prove himself as a hard worker, and ended up hiring him for the job. Just as Philippe did, Driss also took a leap of faith.

Who is Elisa in The Intouchables?

Alba Gaïa Bellugi (born Alba Gaïa Kraghede Bellugi) is a French actress of Danish and Italian origin. She is best known for her performance as Elisa in The Intouchables (2011).