Mathieu Kassovitz, injured Sunday in a motorcycle accident near Paris, was operated on for serious injuries to an ankle, a leg and to the pelvis, said Monday his entourage, wanting to be reassuring. The days of the 56-year-old actor-director are not in danger, these sources told AFP.
“Tonight’s operations went well. Mathieu will begin a normal process of healing, rest and getting back into shape,” said his father Peter Kassovitz, quoted in a press release from his agent. He also thanked the “formidable nursing staff who are doing everything possible for his good recovery”.
According to the Evry prosecutor’s office, requested by AFP on Sunday, the actor had come to take advanced motorcycle driving lessons at the Linas-Monthléry racetrack (Essonne). He did not hit any other vehicle. He was ejected from the two-wheeler he was driving alone and fell violently to the ground. The actor, who was wearing a helmet at the time, had no head trauma, his entourage told AFP.
An investigation into the causes of the injuries was opened by the Evry public prosecutor’s office and entrusted to the urban security brigade of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (Essonne). Known to the general public for the role of Malotru, secret agent in the hit series The Legends Office, Mathieu Kassovitz leads an eclectic career as an actor-director. He made a sensational entry into the world of cinema in 1995 with the black and white film La Haine, which he himself directed, about the malaise of the suburbs and police violence. This film-event will earn him a prize at Cannes.
As an actor, Mathieu Kassovitz – nicknamed “Kasso” – has shot dozens of films (A Very Discreet Hero by Jacques Audiard, Amen by Costa-Gavras, Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain by Jean-Pierre Jeunet) and even attempted Hollywood adventure (Gothika, 2003).
After years of ups and downs peppered with media rants, he returned to the fore in 2015 thanks to director Eric Rochant who entrusted him with the role of Guillaume Debailly, alias Malotru, secret agent torn between his duty and love. He will also be appearing on Visions on Wednesday, alongside Diane Kruger.