Shooting anecdotes, notes of intent, information for film lovers: every week, discover behind the scenes of cinema releases.
The Northman by Robert Eggers
Starring Alexander Skarsgard, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang…
What is it about ? Young Prince Amleth has just become a man when his father is brutally murdered by his uncle who then seizes the boy’s mother. Amleth flees his island kingdom by boat, swearing revenge.
Did you know ? Alexander Skarsgård transformed his body with the help of Swedish nutritionist and trainer Magnus Lygdback, with whom he had previously worked on Tarzan. For The Northman, the actor had to develop a bulky and menacing musculature.
We smile for the photo of François Uzan
With Jacques Gamblin, Pascale Arbillot, Pablo Pauly…
What is it about ? Thierry spends his days classifying his family photos, convinced that the best is behind him. When Claire, his wife, announces to him that she is leaving him, Thierry, devastated, offers him to redo “Greece 98”, their best family vacation.
Did you know ? We smile for the photo was part of the Official Selection of Alpe d’Huez 2021 and won the Special Jury Prize, chaired by Michèle Laroque.
Cut! by Michel Hazanavicius
With Matilda Lutz, Berenice Bejo, Romain Duris…
What is it about ? A zombie movie set in an abandoned building. Between jaded technicians and actors not really concerned, only the director seems invested with the necessary energy to give life to yet another low-budget horror film. The irruption of authentic undead will disrupt the filming…
The farm follies of Jean-Pierre Améris
With Alban Ivanov, Sabrina Ouazani, Michèle Bernier…
What is it about ? David, a young peasant from Cantal, has just had an idea: to save his farm from bankruptcy, he is going to set up a cabaret on the farm. The show will be on stage and on the plate, with good local products. He is sure, it can only work!
Did you know ? Les Folies fermières is inspired by a true story, which Jean-Pierre Améris discovered in January 2018 when he came across a report devoted to David Caumette on the regional news of France 3. The director recalls: “Three weeks later, my producer, Sophie Révil, and I were going to the Tarn to meet David.”
Karnawal by Juan Pablo Felix (II)
With Martin López Lacci, Alfredo Castro, Monica Lairana…
What is it about ? During the Andean carnival, on the border between Argentina and Bolivia, a young dancer from Malambo, Cabra, prepares for the most important competition of his life. When his father, El Corto, a former convict and highway robber, returns, he puts everything in jeopardy…
Did you know ? Possessing a difficult history to bring to the big screen (whether in terms of production or artistic risks), Karnawal required many years of preparation. With his producers, Juan Pablo Félix (II) thus had to find many international funds to have a sufficient budget.
Utama: The Forgotten Land by Alejandro Loayza Grisi
With Jose Calcina, Luisa Quisle, Santos Choque…
What is it about ? In the immensity of the Bolivian highlands, Virginio and Sisa watch over their herd of llamas. So far, nothing has been able to divert them from this harsh life, inherited from traditions: neither their advanced age, nor the departure of the inhabitants of the region, driven out by the drought.
Tom by Fabienne Berthaud
With Tanguy Mercier, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Felix Maritaud…
What is it about ? Tom, 11, lives with his mother Joss in a mobile home on the edge of the forest. When he’s not at school, Tom is his mother’s little man and takes care of her as much as she takes care of him. The arrival of Samy, a disturbing young man, will upset their fragile balance…
Did you know ? The film is adapted from the novel Tom petit Tom tout petit homme Tom by Barbara Constantine. Rhamsa Productions had just acquired the rights and producer Maya Hariri was looking for a director. She then thought of Fabienne Berthaud after seeing Pieds nus sur les slugs.
Valiant Hearts by Mona Achache
With Camille Cottin, Maé Roudet-Rubens, Léo Riehl…
What is it about ? COEURS VAILLANTS retraces the odyssey of 6 Jewish children hidden during the war, who left to find refuge where no one thought to go looking for them… in the castle and the park of the Chambord estate, in the middle of the hidden works of art of the Louvre. At valiant heart nothing impossible…
Did you know ? Mona Achache’s grandmother was a child in hiding during the war, and the filmmaker keeps intact her memory of a little girl who listened to her tell her story: “I was strangely fascinated by his ability to unfold a story that mixed on the one hand the pain of the loss of his loved ones, the terror of war, and on the other, his childish carelessness, his feeling of adventure and freedom.”
Office Wolf Trenches
What is it about ? On the Donbas front line, soldiers of the Ukrainian army’s 30th battalion clash with Russian-backed separatists. The director Loup Bureau plunges us into this experience of war, at the height of men and in the heart of the trenches.
Turn to Live by Philippe Azoulay
With Jean Dujardin, Anouk Aimée, Sandrine Bonnaire…
What is it about ? I found Tintin, he is over 77 years old, he makes films and travels the world in search of the meaning of life. For 7 years we share the life of a filmmaker and his belief in the incredible fertility of chaos. A unique journey, an artistic adventure, a human and spiritual experience with Claude Lelouch.
Did you know ? In 2012, at the age of 75 and after a long journey through the desert, Claude Lelouch started a race against time and challenged himself to make three films in three years. Philippe Azoulay recalls: “And ‘beware, they will be the best’ he told me. (…) His arrogant challenge reminds me of the spirit that animated Cassius Clay/Mohamed Ali, in Léon Gast’s film When We Were Kings.”