Noémie Lvovsky an uninspired filmmaker in Chez nous, c’est trois

by Fabien Lemercier

02/07/2012 - In Brittany’s department of Côtes-d'Armor, Claude Duty today set the cameras rolling on his third feature, Franco-Belgian co-production Chez nous, c’est trois. The filmmaker, who is also the president of the European Film Festival at Les Arcs, was first discovered with Hypnotised and Hysterical (unveiled at the Cannes Critics’ Week in 2002 and nominated for a Cesar for best first film in 2003), before he directed Bed and Breakfast.

His latest film is to star Noémie Lvovsky, who was nominated for a Cesar for best supporting actress in 2012 for House of Tolerance [trailer] and recently appeared in Farewell, My Queen [trailer, film focus] as well as in her own film, Camille Rewinds [trailer], at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes this year.

She is to star alongside Belgian actors Marie Kremer (Louise Wimmer [trailer], soon in La Sieste sous le figuier) and Stéphane de Groodt, as well as Julien Baumgartner, Jonathan Manzambi, Olivier Saladin, Judith Godrèche, Bruno Wolkowitch, and Frédéric Van Den Driessche. Olivia Bonamy and Julien Doré are also due to appear in the film.

Written by the director with Christian Clères, the screenplay tells the story of Jeanne, an momentarily uninspired film director in her forties, who returns to her home region to screen her second film. During this week on cultural tour, she will meet the militant director of a summer camp, passionate film buffs, a charming real estate agent, an extraverted actress, and a former lover who is still very attractive. But she will especially find real meaning to her career, helped along by the young team that accompanies her.

Produced by Nicolas Brevière for Local Films, Chez nous, c’est trois is also co-produced by Trompe Le Monde and Belgian production company Left Field Ventures (John Engel). It is set to benefit from a pre-acquisition by Ciné+, support from the Sofica Cofinova, and aid from the Brittany and Haute Normandie regions where the film will be shot in equal measures over six weeks. The film is set to be ready in spring 2013. Rezo will handle the film’s distribution in France as well as its sales abroad.

Local Films, whose editorial line typically focuses on auteur films and new talent, previously produced On the Shore [trailer] by Julien Donada, Sweet Evil [trailer] by Olivier Coussemacq, and Give Me Your Hand [trailer] by Pascal-Alex Vincent.

(Translated from French)