Translating “ l’esprit Canal ” into comedy screenplays: Canal+’s role in the development of French comedy film trends

Abstract

This article retraces the trajectories of three selected groups of comedy actors, screenwriters, and directors discovered on Canal+ in the context of the evolution of the media group’s policies for comedy development practices for cinema. The article focuses on artists and television shows that served as platforms for entry into the cinema, including “Les Nuls,” “Les Robin des Bois,” Jamel Debbouze and Philippe Lacheau’s “La Bande à Fifi.”