October 1980. Michel Colucci, better known as Coluche, is the French people's favorite comedian. He performs every night to a packed house at the Théâtre du Gymnase. One day, always inclined to go too far, Coluche announces - for laughs - his candidacy for the 1981 French presidential elections. Looked down upon by the professionals of politics, he is soon supported by French voters, who always love when a clown thumbs his nose at the mighty. In a poll published in December, he is even credited with 16% of voting intentions...—Guy Bellinger