We’re not sure why it took nearly 20 years for someone to do this, but we’re thankful Shia LaBeouf did what he did.
LaBeouf made headlines around last weekend for his seemingly bizarre recreation of one of the most famous press conferences in soccer history: Eric Cantona’s famous “trawler” press conference.
LaBeouf was participating in a press conference in Berlin ahead of the German premier of his movie Nymphomaniac when reporters asked him about the film’s numerous sex scenes.
Instead of answering it with polite patience, LaBeouf channeled his inner-Cantona and fed the former Manchester United star’s classic line to the assembled media.
“When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.”
The actor even took a dramatic pause by sipping water before standing up and walking out of the press conference, just like Cantona.
LaBeouf’s stunt seemed to go well, as his co-stars and some in the audience had a hearty laugh.
For those that don’t quite get it, here’s a little back-story:
On Jan. 25, 1999, Cantona attacked a Crystal Palace fan who was berating him after he had been sent off. Cantona was arrested for the flying, “kung-fu” and originally sentenced to two weeks in prison. That conviction was reduced to community service on appeal.
Predictably, the outburst by, arrest and ban of one of the Premier League’s superstars was huge news, so Cantona and Manchester United officials arraigned a press conference to discuss the whole affair.
The highly anticipated press conference lasted all of 30 seconds because Cantona delivered the cryptic remark and left, leaving the media and public to decipher its meaning.
We have no idea why LaBeouf decided to relive Cantona’s conference. All we know is that he did it … and did it well.
Watch Cantona’s famous press conference in the video below.
Now watch LaBeouf imitate Cantona in the video below.
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