16/09/2015 - The “comeback story” centres on a former Eurovision star who now works in a pâté factory

Flemish director Bavo Defurne (North Sea Texas [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) has commenced principal photography on Souvenir [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in Luxembourg. Co-produced by Luxembourg’s Deal Productions along with Belgium’s Indeed Productions, Souvenir stars Isabelle Huppert as a former Eurovision singer for whom stardom is a distant memory.

“The film is a comeback story,” explains Deal producer Alexandra Hoesdorff. “It’s about a woman who works in a pâté factory, and this younger guy, who fancies her, finds out that she is a former Eurovision star. She got second place next to ABBA at the Eurovision Song Contest in the 1970s. Her life has its ups and downs, and she now works in a factory, but maybe it’s time to make a comeback.”

Besides Huppert, the cast also includes César Award-winning actor Kevin Azais (Love at First Fight [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Thomas Cailley
film profile]), whilst the soundtrack has been entrusted to US band Pink Martini.

“Bavo pitched the project to me at the latest Berlinale Co-Production Market, and I was immediately attracted to it!” states Hoesdorff, whose partner at Deal Productions Désirée Nosbusch – now a director, producer and actress – presented the Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg back in 1984.

The Film Fund Luxembourg is backing Souvenir to the tune of €1.2 million. Pathé International will handle international sales.