04/08/2003 - Filming is underway on the follow-up to the global hit, Amélie, with a galaxy of stars headed by Audrey Tautou and Gaspard Ulliel. Backstage ownership controversy

One of next year’s most eagerly awaited titles, Un long dimanche de fiançailles went into production, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film became French property after a legal dispute ended in a French victory. For the next 21 weeks, the following actors will be busy on Jeunet’s follow up to Amélie: Audrey Tautou, Clotide Coureau, Julie Depardieu, André Dussollier, Jean-Paul Rouve (César for best newcomer - actor 2002), Denis Lavant (Les amants du Pont-Neuf), Gaspard Ulliel (Les égarés), Tchecky Karyo, Jean-Pierre Daroussin, Marion Cotillard (Taxi), as well as Jeunet’s “Old Faithful” – Dominique Pinon and probably also Jodie Foster. Everyone wanted a slice of Jeunet’s cake. The film is about a young woman whose lover dies during WWI. It has a budget of €45m.
The pre-production process was rife with problems: a new production slate, 2003 Production, was set up especially for this title whose co-producers include Tapioca (owned by Jeunet), TF1 Films, and Warner. In legal terms, this is a French film although doubts remain as to who is really in control. French industry operators are worried that Warner Bros have boarded a project that will benefit from CNC funds, to the degree that CNC director, David Kessler is organising a debate to clarify this important issue in the autumn.

(Translated from French)