Mads Mikkelsen stars in Michael Kohlhaas

by Fabien Lemercier

06/09/2011 - After Drancy Avenir (1996), Adieu (2004) and Park [trailer] (unveiled at the Mostra 2008 in the Horizons section), the original and talented Arnaud des Pallières started shooting yesterday on his fourth feature: Michael Kohlhaas.

The director has put together an impressive cast including Danish star Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale [trailer], Valhalla Rising [trailer, film focus]), young thesps Paul Bartel (The Giants [trailer, film focus]) and Mélusine Mayance (Sarah’s Key [trailer]), Swiss actor Bruno Ganz (Of Women and Horses [trailer]), Denis Lavant, David Bennet, Amira Casar, Spanish actor Sergi Lopez and Stefano Cassetti.

Co-scripted by the director and Christelle Berthevas based on Heinrich Von Kleist’s work, the film is set in the Cévennes, in the 16th century. Michael Kohlhaas, a prosperous horse trader, leads a well-to-do and happy family life. Having suffered an injustice, this pious and upright man raises an army and ransacks towns to re-establish his rights.

Produced by Les Films d'Ici, Michael Kohlhaas has received co-production support from Arte France Cinéma, Germany’s Looks Filmproduktion and Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, pre-acquisitions from Canal + and Ciné+, an advance on receipts from the National Film and Moving Image Centre (CNC), a grant through the Franco-German co-production support mini-treaty, as well as backing from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, Sofica Cinémage and Arte Germany.

Shooting will last until October 29 in Languedoc (Sainte-Enimie, Aujac) and Rhône-Alpes (in the area around Chambéry and in the Vercors). French distribution and international sales will be handled by Les Films du Losange.

(Translated from French)