The Revenge of the Glitter Shrimp, released in theaters this Wednesday, was shot in Ukraine in the midst of a pandemic. The team explained what motivated the choice of this country, and not in Russia, where a majority of the plot of the film takes place.
The Glitter Shrimp made their return to theaters this week, with Revenge of the Glitter Shrimp. In this sequel to the adventures of a gay water polo team, the plot takes us to Russia: after missing their match en route to Tokyo, the gang finds themselves stuck in the depths of Russia, in a particularly homophobic region. …
As the film’s crew explained during promotion, filming didn’t actually take place in Russia for various reasons. It took place in Ukraine, a choice which finds particular resonance today.
Ukraine not having been confined, directors Cédric Le Gallo and Maxime Govare were able to shoot in public places in the midst of a pandemic. However, many actors have gradually caught the virus. The directors therefore had to interrupt filming for a month.
“The buildings, the architecture, the language, bring a real veracity to the film which was shot between kyiv and Lviv, on the border with the Carpathians“, continue Cédric Le Gallo and Maxime Govare, in the press kit for La Revanche des Shrimps.We received a warm welcome there, the teams and actors cast on site were really excellent. But it was a particularly trying shoot. (…) We had a lot of outdoor scenes, often at night in minus 20 degrees. And the weather was very capricious! “, explain the directors.
Guest of the show We’re live on France 2comedian Nicolas Gob said: “We couldn’t have shot it in Russia, since the simple act of holding hands, of two men holding hands or even kissing, is punishable. So it was completely impossible and unthinkable to go there.”
Interviewed recently by BFM TV, the directors wanted to pay tribute to the courage of some of the Ukrainian actors who took part in the film. Some members of the team have indeed since left for the war front against Russia. “It’s quite confusing to see these actors who are not military [poser] in fatigues with bulletproof vests, Kalashnikovs, to defend their country“, indicated the directors.
One of the film’s comedians posted a photo of himself on the forehead:
BFMTV specifies that at the end of each preview of the film, the team sent support videos to the Ukrainians who participated in the film. “We think very much of you“.
In Paris Matchactor Romain Lancry continues: “They are touched and, above all, ask us to continue to talk about them, so that they are not forgotten. They all hope that the “Shrimp” phenomenon will continue in dark rooms. And raise awareness, as this front page of L’Équipe magazine did in 2019 on the film that had toured the world, showing two swimmers kissing“.
Revenge of the Glitter Shrimp is in theaters now.
The Revenge of the Glitter Shrimp: more adventure and a more committed subject in the sequel