PRODUCTION / FUNDING France / Senegal
Omar Sy is filming Father & Soldier
- The French star’s name shines bright up front in Mathieu Vadepied’s second feature film, which is produced by Unité and Korokoro, and sold by Gaumont
Initially known as a director of photography who earned himself two César nominations, firstly for 2002’s Read My Lips [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and then for Untouchable [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] in 2012, Mathieu Vadepied kicked off filming on Father & Soldier [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. For the lead role, the filmmaker is counting on the most famous French actor in the world right now: Omar Sy (recently well-received in The Wolf’s Call [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Night Shift [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Anne Fontaine
film profile] and the Lupin series).
Starring alongside him are Alassane Diong (who appeared in the Savages [+see also:
series review
interview: Souheila Yacoub
series profile] series) and Jonas Bloquet (nominated for 2017’s Best New Hope César by way of Elle [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and for 2011’s Magritte in the same category via Private Lessons [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jacques-Henri Bronckart
interview: Joachim Lafosse
film profile]), as well as Bamar Kane, Alassane Sy, Clément Lankoulo, Thomas Sambou, Ibrahim Ba and Oumar Sey.
Written by Mathieu Vadepied and Olivier Demangel (Atlantics [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mati Diop
film profile]), the story plunges viewers into 1917. Bakary Diallo enlists in the French Army in order to be with his 17-year-old son Thierno who was recruited by force. Sent to the front, they find themselves facing the war together. While Thierno learns how to become a man, Bakary does everything he can to get his boy home safe and sound…
Father & Soldier is produced by Bruno Nahon on behalf of Unité, by Omar Sy on behalf of Korokoro and by the Senegalese firm Sy Possible Africa in co-production with Mille Soleils, Gaumont (who are also steering distribution in France, not to mention international sales) and France 3 Cinéma. Pre-purchased by Canal+ and Ciné+, the feature film also enjoys the support of the CNC by way of an advance on receipts. The nine-week film shoot will unfold in France from 23 August to 13 October, before moving on to Senegal in January 2022, with Venezuela’s Luis Armando Arteaga (Tremors [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jayro Bustamante
film profile], Litigante [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) in charge of photography.
(Translated from French)
Did you enjoy reading this article? Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive more stories like this directly in your inbox.