04/10/2016 - The 2013 Palme d’Or-winning filmmaker has been working in secret on the French-Italian co-production, set to be sold by Pathé, since 8 September

Principal photography for Abdellatif Kechiche’s highly anticipated next feature film, currently known by the working title Mektoub is Mektoub [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], has been underway in complete and utter secrecy in Sète since 8 September. The cast of the sixth feature film by the director (winner of Cannes’ Palme d’Or in 2013 with Blue is the Warmest Colour [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Abdellatif Kechiche
film profile]) remains a total mystery, but more details concerning the plot have come to light. The film is loosely based on Antoine Bégaudeau’s novel La blessure, la vraie.

In the film, Amin, a young scriptwriter who has recently moved to Paris, heads down to his hometown on the Mediterranean for summer vacation. He spends his time on beaches and in bars with childhood friends. One evening he meets Jasmine, whose singing he finds charming. With her, he wants to experience passion "like in the movies". One encounter leads to another… Through his best friend, Amin is introduced to a big producer summering in his villa. The producer offers to finance Amin's first film. With his film project, Jasmine and the producer's wife, who is now hitting on him, Amin finds himself confronted with several choices...

As a reminder, Abdellatif Kechiche won Venice’s Golden Lion in 2000 for his film, Blame it on Voltaire, four César awards in 2005 (Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Most Promising Actress) with Games of Love and Chance [+see also:
trailer
film profile], before reclaiming this same quartet of awards in 2008 with The Secret of the Grain [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Hafsia Herzi
film profile], which was also awarded three trophies from the 2007 Mostra (the Special Jury Prize, the Marcello Mastroianni Prize for Best New Actress and the FIPRESCI price). In 2010, the filmmaker found himself in the Venetian competition yet again with Black Venus [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Abdellatif Kechiche
film profile], before being recognised with the Palme d’Or in 2013 for Blue is the Warmest Colour.

Produced by Quat'sous Films (the director’s production house), Mektoub is Mektoub is co-produced most notably by France 2 Cinéma, Pathé (which will also handle the film’s French distribution and international sales) and Italian outfit Bianca Film. Good Films will be responsible for the title’s Italian release.

(Translated from French)