12/01/2009

Final preparations are underway before shooting starts in Brussels next week on Protéger et servir (“Protect and Serve”), the third feature by Eric Lavaine (Poltergay [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). The director has also just finished editing his previous work, Incognito, which wrapped up filming last summer. The two films are produced by Same Player in partnership with Pathé and Belgium’s Scope Pictures.

Protéger et servir stars Carole Bouquet, Clovis Cornillac (who will hit screens on February 25 in Claude Chabrol’s Bellamy), Kad Merad (Welcome to the Sticks [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and François Damiens.

The film – co-written by the director and Héctor Cabello Reyes – is a comedy about two policemen, friends since their childhood days in an orphanage, despite their vastly different personalities. Far from being bright, they must nonetheless thwart a wave of terrorist attacks.

Produced by François Cornuau and Vincent Roget for Same Player, the film is also co-produced by FIT Productions and shooting will last until March 13 in the Belgian capital. The title will be released domestically by Pathé, who are also handling international sales.

Incognito – to be launched in theatres by Pathé on July 1 – stars popular singer Bénabar, Jocelyn Quivrin (99 Francs [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Franck Dubosc (Disco), Anne Marivin and Isabelle Nanty.

Co-written by Lavaine and Cabello Reyes (also co-author of the original idea behind Radu Mihaileanu’s Concert, currently in post-production) along with Bénabar, the film centres on Lucas, a hard-working singer from the 1990s who, ten years later, becomes the king of the new French pop-rock scene by appropriating the songs of his friend Thomas, who has disappeared. But the latter reappears and so begin five days of hell for Lucas, as he tries to hide his immense fame from him.

Co-produced by Pathé – who are also managing international sales – the film has been pre-bought by Canal+ and TPS Star.

(Translated from French)