Shooting anecdotes, notes of intent, information for film lovers: every week, discover behind the scenes of cinema releases.
Equalizer 3 by Antoine Fuqua
Starring Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, David Denman…
What is it about ? Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall struggles to come to terms with his demons from the past and finds strange solace in standing up for the downtrodden. While he has found his haven of peace in southern Italy, he discovers that his friends are under the control of the local mafia.
Did you know ? Released in 2014, Equalizer grossed close to $193 million worldwide. Its Equalizer 2 sequel achieved a similar score: $190 million. A good deal when you know that the first opus cost 55 million and the second 62 million. In France, the success was more moderate, attracting 1.5 million action fans in two films.
Ama Gloria by Marie Amachoukeli
With Louise Mauroy-Panzani, Ilça Moreno Zego, Arnaud Rebotini…
What is it about ? Cléo is just six years old. She is madly in love with Gloria, her nanny who has raised her since birth. But Gloria must urgently return to Cape Verde, to her children. Before he leaves, Cléo asks him to keep a promise: to see her again as soon as possible. Gloria invites him to come to her family and to her island, to spend one last summer together.
Did you know ? The film is dedicated to Laurinda Correia, the woman who took care of Marie Amachoukeli when she was little. Janitor in the building where the future director lived, she was a Portuguese immigrant: “I lived a large part of my childhood in his dressing room with his children.”
“When I was six years old, she announced to me that she was returning to the country with her husband to open an establishment and start a new life with his family. It was the first big explosion of my life.”
The Beauty of Sho Miyake’s Gesture
With Yukino Kishii, Tomokazu Miura, Masaki Miura…
What is it about ? Keiko lives in the suburbs of Tokyo where she trains hard in boxing. Deaf, it is with her body that she expresses herself. But when her career takes off, she decides to stop everything…
Did you know ? The Beauty of the Gesture is inspired by the autobiography of boxer Keiko Ogasawara. If the director approaches each of his projects with the idea of making a documentary, this time he decided to tell the story of this sportswoman through fiction.
Paradise by Alexander Abaturov
What is it about ? In the summer of 2021, a heat wave and exceptional drought caused giant fires that ravaged 19 million hectares in northeastern Siberia. Abandoned by the government, left to their own devices, the inhabitants of the village of Shologon must unite to fight the Dragon.
Did you know ? It was on the set of his previous film, The Son, in the summer of 2016, that Alexander Abaturov had the idea for Paradise. He was filming a summer solstice ritual scene, with a big fire. However, it took him several years of research and rewriting before launching: “I prepared for a long time this film which simmered, mutated, transformed in my head.”
Banel & Adama from Ramata-Toulaye Sy
With Khady Mane, Mamadou Diallo, Binta Racine Sy…
What is it about ? Banel and Adama love each other. They live in a remote village in northern Senegal. But the absolute love that unites them will come up against the conventions of the community. Because where they live, there is no place for passions, and even less for chaos.
Did you know ? Khady Mane, who plays Banel, and Mamadou Diallo, who plays Adama, are, like all the other actors in the film, non-professionals. The casting process, which began five months before filming began, was long and complex.
Super drunk by Bastien Milheau
With Pierre Gommé, Nina Poletto, Barbara Schulz…
What is it about ? Last day before the end of high school. Janus and Sam have to bring drinks to participate in the end of the year party. While rummaging through Janus’ father’s cellar looking for bottles, they discover a strange machine…
Did you know ? Super-Bourrés is the first feature film by Bastien Milheau, who trained at FEMIS in the Screenplay Department, where he developed several feature films. Super-Bourrés is the continuation of his graduation project.
Midwives by Léa Fehner
With Héloïse Janjaud, Khadija Kouyaté, Myriem Akheddiou…
What is it about ? Louise and Sofia, two passionate young midwives, join their first position in a public maternity hospital. But hardly landed, the two friends come up against the crazy cadences of a service on the verge of explosion. Between birth euphoria and fear of doing wrong, vocations are damaged, others are strengthened.
Did you know ? In an official press release, Arte writes about this project, which is deeply rooted in the real daily lives of caregivers: “With finesse, Léa Fehner stages the initiatory journey of two valiant heroines: Sofia, who pitches, rolled by doubt after a high-risk childbirth and Louise, anchored to her capital of confidence.”
“Around them, the oldest midwives struggle to close the gaps, mistreated by a system that ends up endangering young mothers and newborns. From dedication to exhaustion, from precariousness to solidarity, the vibrant portrait of a profession in crisis.”
Alam of Firas Khoury
With Mahmood Bakri, Sereen Khass, Mohammad Karaki…
What is it about ? Tamer is Palestinian and lives in Israel. He and his friends lead the life of a carefree high school student until the arrival of the beautiful Maysaa. To please him, Tamer agrees to take part in a mysterious flag operation on the eve of Israeli Independence Day, a day of mourning for the Palestinians.
Did you know ? If the film takes place in Palestine, the viewer does not know in which city it is located: “The film takes place in Palestine. And it is important for me to specify it. But there is no specific location, city. Geographically, we do not know where the story takes place, since the Israeli rules move all the time with regard to our right to raise the flag or not in certain places”explains director Firas Khoury.
Daisy’s Dream by Ricard Cussó
With Marie Braam, Angourie Rice, Jean-Michel Vovk…
What is it about ? In this new tale of the Sanctuary City, where all the animals live in harmony, the City is about to host “The World Cup of Fear” during which the most ferocious animals will face each other in the arena. Daisy, an incredibly endearing little quokka wants to fulfill her dearest dream: to win these games!
Did you know ? Daisy’s Dream concludes the Tales of the Sanctuary City trilogy, created by the Like A Photon Creative teams for the future. This is a company that “lives in harmony with nature, able to recognize its errors and which favors kindness, tolerance and spiritual generosity”. The first two opuses are The Wishing Tree and Combat Wombat.
#10 by Alex Van Warmerdam
With Anniek Pheifer, Gene Bervoets, Pierre Bokma…
What is it about ? Günter, found in the woods in Germany at the age of four, grew up in a foster home. Forty years later, he leads a normal life: he earns his living as a theater actor, spends time with his daughter Lizzy, has an affair with a married woman. When a man on a bridge whispers a strange word in his ear, he begins to wonder about his origins.