The man who inspired the movie ‘Untouchable’ dies

Philippe Pozzo di Borgothe man with quadriplegia who inspired the successful 2011 French film Untouchable (untouchables in its original version), has died this Friday at the age of 72, as confirmed by the directors of the film.

“It is with great sadness that we have just learned of the news of death from our friend Philippe Pozzo di Borgo. By agreeing to have his story adapted for Untouchable, changed our lives and those of many vulnerable and fragile people”, the filmmakers Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano have broadcast on social networks.

“We will always remember him as a brave, dignified, humble and combative man. We will miss his humor and intelligence. It was a rare privilege to have worked with him over the years. We will try to continue all his battles,” added the filmmakers who have published several photos of the film crew posing with the deceased.

Pozzo di Borgo, born in Paris in 1951, was a businessman descended from a Corsican noble family that he became quadriplegic in 1993 due to a paragliding accident.

He narrated his life and his experience with his personal caretaker, Abdel Yasmin Sellouan immigrant with a criminal record, in the book the second souffle (a second wind).

The story of the unlikely friendship between the two, played by François Cluzet and Omar Syrespectively, was adapted to the screen in 2011 by Nakache and Toledano, who achieved with Untouchable the second biggest box office success in the history of French cinema.

The film received forty nominations for national and international awards and has won, among others, the 2012 César for Best French Film and the Spanish Goya of 2013 for the best European film.

“forever in our hearts“, Sy has pointed out on his Twitter account when echoing the news released by the filmmakers.