What do you find when you scratch “Sous la surface”? Very often: the truth. True emotions and deep motivations. This eponymous film is proof of this. A documentary masterpiece that closely follows the joys, doubts and learning experiences of Thibaut Baronian, one of the world's best athletes, as he transitions from trail running to ultra-trail running. More than an immersion, this film is an introspective journey. The promise of a plunge into the performance approach of a champion who puts himself in danger and dares to open a new chapter, far from his comfort zone. Why this irrepressible desire to explore ultra-trail running? How do you adapt as a runner in every respect – in terms of training, nutrition and strategy – but also as a human being – in terms of your philosophy of life? Thibaut Baronian is looking for his answers in distance rather than speed. With a race as the highlight: the pinnacle of the discipline, the UTMB.
To find out what lies ‘below the surface’, we asked seven questions to Simon Dugué, director of the film and rising star of sports documentaries.
‘The promise of a dive into the performance approach of a champion who puts himself in danger and dares to open a new chapter, far from his comfort zone.’
Simon, can you tell us about the genesis of the film? What was the starting point for this documentary and what were the key stages of the filming?
Simon Dugué: The initiative came from Thibaut. He was at a point in his career where he wanted to take stock, take a step back from what he wanted to give and pass on, and ask himself what kind of legacy he wanted to leave. This transition phase from trail running to ultra-trail running – after 10 years of performing in the biggest short-format events, such as Sierre-Zinal or Zegama – seemed like the ideal time to conduct this introspection. Opening a new chapter is, in my opinion, a great opportunity to make a mark and, therefore, to make a film. Thib and I are close. He told me about it, we were in the same line and the adventure began very naturally. Structuring the story around the three major races of his season – the Transvulcania, the 90 km du Mont-Blanc and the UTMB – quickly won us over and convinced us. Axel Kowalczyk, marketing & communication manager at Sidas, immediately placed his trust in us and contributed some highly informed and creative ideas about the project. In the space of a few weeks, ‘Sous la surface’ was born.
Why the title of a film? What is the symbolism behind it? And what did you find when you looked into Thibaut Baronian's ‘Sous la surface’?
Simon Dugué: The process that leads me to find a title for a film varies greatly for me. It can come spontaneously, right at the start of the project. Or later. After a shared highlight or a sentence thrown in during filming. In this particular case, it was something that became obvious during the editing, when it was time to aggregate all the material that was stored on my memory cards. Throughout the documentary, Thibaut opens up, hence the idea of punctuating the narration with very immersive vocals that allow the athlete to confide and open up without a filter. Through this introspection, Thib went deeper than the first layer, beyond the veneer. He set the tempo. He offered us a plunge to the stratum below, where the real emerges, where motivations and deep emotions take root. This results in very powerful sequences.
‘Through this introspection, Thib went digging beneath the first layer, beyond the veneer.’
What emotions and what message did you want to convey through this ultra-trail film? What would you like the viewer to remember or feel once the end credits are on the screen?
Simon Dugué: I find this film moving in the sense that Thibaut agrees to open up about complex periods and difficult feelings that he may have experienced or felt. He has managed to put into words things that are not necessarily easy, with modesty, dignity and transparency. In particular, he has opened up about his love life. A subject that is rarely discussed but which affects many people. He accepted his share of vulnerability and testified to the impact of these turpitudes on the performance of a top-level athlete. He also accepted making choices, with which he is hyper-aligned. He has made some strong decisions, some of which are not paying off for the moment, but Thib remains confident: he does not believe he has made the wrong choice, he is convinced that it is just taking longer than expected to come together. I would like the audience to be imbued with this indulgence tinged with patience. If this is the case, then I will be fulfilled as a director.
‘I would like the audience to be imbued with this indulgence tinged with patience.’
You have a close friendship. Where did it start and how is it reflected in this film?
Simon Dugué: I can't pinpoint the founding act of our friendship, but the fact is that Thib and I share a form of emotionality. We are different in many respects, but this sensitivity brings us a lot closer together. Thibaut expresses it more easily than I do; he may appear more cheerful from the outside, but in the end we are both emotional people. That is why, I think, we understand and get along so well. This gives rise to very qualitative, very real shared moments. This complicity is both an advantage and a disadvantage when making a film. Indeed, it allows me to access Thib's intimacy in a very natural way, but at the same time it can generate a form of self-censorship that the athlete would not have had if he had collaborated with a videographer he didn't know, or knew less, without fear of being judged.
‘I can't pinpoint the exact moment our friendship began, but the fact is that Thib and I share a certain emotionality.’
Now that you know the man and the athlete inside out, you can venture an answer: of all the trail runners you come across, what makes Thibaut Baronian unique?
I am lucky enough to be able to forge special relationships with the athletes I come into contact with in my work. And Mr Baronian is definitely in a class of his own. I say that with great affection. Thibaut is very atypical in the way he sees his life and sport. He is driven by an irrepressible need for movement. He can't stay in one place for too long. Moving is in his very nature. He has a phenomenal talent for running, climbing, scrambling and descending; but I would say that he still needs to develop the emotional stability and patience that characterise the ultra-trail runners who have made history: Courtney Dauwalter, Kilian Jornet, François D'Haene, Xavier Thévenard... Is it prohibitive? No, I don't think so! On the contrary, it makes the challenge all the more beautiful.
‘I am lucky enough to be able to forge special relationships with the athletes I work with. And Mr Baronian is definitely in a class of his own.’
Do you remember any particularly memorable moments during the shoot?
Obviously, the conclusion of the film is intended to be quite intense, as Thibaut delivers the viewer. He gives him the last missing keys to a perfect understanding of this transition phase. On the other hand, personally, another moment struck me. During an interview, Thib questioned the adage that the journey is more important than the destination. From his point of view, the important thing is neither the destination nor the journey: the important thing is the company! I found this phrase implacable. It struck me because it spoke to me: Thib, like me, is a being of contrasts. He is a loner who, paradoxically, gives a lot of love and expresses the fundamental need to be surrounded.
‘From his point of view, the important thing is neither the destination nor the journey: the important thing is the company!’
What role did Sidas play in this project? How closely was the brand involved in the project?
Thib will be better able to answer than I am on the purely product aspect, since I imagine that the insoles and socks enabled him to extend the running distance in comfort and serenity. For my part, I would like to focus on the freedom that we were given. Not the freedom that implies that we do what we want, but the freedom that comes across as a sign of great trust. We felt listened to and understood. The very human approach and the creative proposals brought by the brand's teams had a real and positive impact on the film. Having a solid support system to lean on when you're embarking on such a long and perilous adventure as making a trail running film is an invaluable opportunity.
