21/08/2008

Les Films du Worso – which is headed by Sylvie Pialat, Producer on the Move 2007 (see interview) – is producing new works by Alain Guiraudie and Nicolas Boukhrief: Le roi de l’évasion (“The King of Escapism”) and Gardiens de l'ordre (“Guardians of Order”), respectively.

These two features will star young, attractive lead actresses Hafzia Herzi (The Secret of the Grain [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Hafsia Herzi
film profile], Française [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Cécile de France (A Secret [+see also:
trailer
film profile]).

Having begun a six-week shoot on Monday in the Tarn region, Le roi de l’évasion marks the third feature by original director Guiraudie, following No Rest for the Brave [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (lauded in the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2003) and Time Has Come. Co-written by the director and Laurent Lunetta and starring Herzi and Ludovic Berthillot, the film centres on a 42-year-old man who sells farming equipment and is going through a difficult time.

Tired of being homosexual, he becomes infatuated with a young, consenting girl but their passion is thwarted until they discover an aphrodisiac and intoxicating substance. Co-produced by M141, Le roi de l’évasion obtained an advance on receipts from the National Film Centre (CNC), backing from the Midi-Pyrénées region, pre-sales from Canal + and Ciné Cinéma and financial support from Sofica Arte Cofinova.

Domestic distribution and international sales will be handled by Les Films du Losange and the title is set to be released in spring 2009.

After Cortex [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (released in theatres in January), les Films du Worso continue their collaboration with Boukhrief, whose upcoming Gardiens de l'ordre is a thriller. The fourth feature by the director of Cash Truck (2004) is set to start shooting in February 2009 and will star France, Julien Boisselier (Don’t Worry, I’m Fine [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Foued Nassah and Fred Testot.

Currently in the financing stage, the film traces the investigation by two police officers – Simon and Julie – who have recently become romantically involved. Wrongly accused of having committed a dreadful error after shooting a man who killed, without reason, one of their fellow workers, they try to exonerate themselves by tracing the network of dealers of a new and extremely powerful amphetamine.

Films du Worso are also scheduled to shoot a feature for Arte – A deux, c’est plus facile (“It’s Easier With Two”) – directed by Emilie Deleuze (Mister V.), in February 2009. At the end of 2008 the company will shoot Faites demi-tour dès que possible (“Turn Back As Soon As Possible”), by Hélène Angel (Skin of Man, Heart of Beast), a thriller pre-bought by Canal +.

(Translated from French)