The Abbesses district displayed a sky of azure in the face of the sadness of the event. Nadia Farès passed away suddenly as a result of a fainting spell in a swimming pool. She leaves behind the image of a familiar face from both the big and small screen. Her family and friends paraded through the religious building to bid farewell to someone who made an impression in “Les Rivières pourpres” and the series “Marseille.” The contrast was striking between the solemn black of goodbye and the magical light of this postcard Paris.
“The artists love to be applauded”: a vibrant tribute by Claude Lelouch
The most touching moment of the celebration came from her friend and neighbor Claude Lelouch. The filmmaker had directed her in two feature films and held a deep admiration for her. He spoke to honor the memory of a woman who could have been his daughter. The director had a brilliant idea to transform the silence of the nave into a moment of life.
“Nadia Farès was a great artist. And artists love to be applauded,” he declared to a grief-stricken assembly. Claude Lelouch made an appeal to the colleagues of the actress. “I ask you to give a magnificent standing ovation to Nadia,” he said. The audience rose as one, united in grief, to honor her memory. The applause resounded for a long time under the arches of the basilica of Montmartre.
“I will spend my life looking for you”: the heartrending cry of her daughters during a final farewell
The pain was especially visible in Cylia and Shana, the actress’s daughters. The two young women spoke, in English, to express their heartbreak. Shana described a mother “so profoundly good,” while her sister, Cylia, expressed her immense distress. “I will spend the rest of my life looking for you in the trees,” she revealed, devastated, adding that her mother was her “best friend” and everything she had.
Many celebrities were present in the front rows, such as Laeticia Hallyday, Gad Elmaleh, and Nagui. Guillaume Canet and Josiane Balasko were also spotted. The world of cinema is in mourning for someone who drew attention. As the black sedan departed, the actress was taken away under the watchful eyes of her family and friends. Nadia Farès will remain in the hearts as a beloved woman and a luminous artist.
