15/09/2008

The 45-day shoot starts today in Aix les Bains for the debut directorial feature by producer Philippe Godeau. The film is adapted from Hervé Chabalier’s book Le dernier pour la route - Chronique d'un divorce avec l'alcool (“One for the Road: Chronicle of a Divorce from Alcohol”).

François Cluzet (2007 Best Actor Cesar for Tell No One [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) was chosen to star in this detox story, after the role attracted interest from numerous French actors. The cast also includes Michel Vuillermoz (Alain Resnais’ Les Herbes folles, currently in post-production), Mélanie Thierry (Babylon A.D. [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Éric Naggar, Lionnel Astier and Raphaëline Goupilleau, as well as Bernard Campan and Anne Consigny in minor roles.

A major reporter, founder and director of the Capa agency (one of the most dynamic production companies on the French audiovisual scene), Chabalier published Le dernier pour la route at the end of 2004. The book caused a media stir.

Analysing the dramatic causes for his alcohol addiction, the strategies used to avoid admitting the truth to himself and the difficult process of freeing himself from this dependency, the book was adapted for the big screen by Godeau and Agnès de Sacy (Actresses [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]).

Produced by Godeau and Nathalie Gastaldo for Pan-Européenne, Le dernier pour la route received co-production backing from France 3 Cinéma, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma and StudioCanal. Canal + and Ciné Cinéma have pre-bought the film.

Shooting – which will take place mainly in Aix-les-Bains with three days in Paris – will wrap up on November 8. The film will be released domestically by Wild Bunch Distribution. The video rights have been acquired by StudioCanal, who will also handle international sales.

Pan-Européenne are currently managing post-production for three other much-anticipated films: Philippe Muyl’s Magique (set for release on October 22), Jérôme Salle’s Largo Winch (set for release on December 17) and Jaco Van Dormael’s Mr. Nobody (see news).

(Translated from French)