16/07/2024 - Félix Lefebvre, Anja Vederosa and Suzanne Jouannet lead the cast of Aurélien Peyre’s first feature, produced by Move Movie

Shot in Vendée between 29 May and 2 July, L’épreuve du feu, the debut feature by Aurélien Peyre (known for the short films Coqueluche and La bande à Juliette), is now in post-production. Eye-catching names in the cast are Félix Lefebvre (awarded the 2021 Best Newcomer Lumière for Summer of 85 [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], also well-received in All to Play For [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Delphine Deloget
film profile], among other works, and soon to be seen in Une vie rêvée, Ni chaînes ni maîtres and Le domaine), Anja Vederosa (appearing on screen for the first time), Suzanne Jouannet (nominated for this year’s César and Lumière by way of The Path of Excellence [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) and Victor Bonnel (School’s Out [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sébastien Marnier
film profile], The Swarm [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Just Philippot
film profile]). The quartet are further joined by Aurélien Vacher, Jules Porier and Nolan Masraf.

Written by the director and Charlotte Sanson (How I Became A Super Hero [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), the story revolves around Félix who, on the eve of his 20th birthday, invites his new girlfriend, Queen, to spend two weeks on the island of Noirmoutier so that he can introduce her to his old friends. After the romantic misadventures of the previous year, when Félix was still struggling with excess weight, he is finally feeling vaguely self-confident and is starting to like himself a little, although he still can’t get over the fact that a beautiful girl like Queen could be interested in him, which feeds into his fear of their relationship failing. But when Queen arrives on the island, everything changes: catapulted into the middle-class world of Félix’s friends, Queen strikes all the wrong notes. The instigator of Felix’s metamorphosis soon becomes a burden for him, and the young man starts to share other people’s views on his beloved…

Produced by Bruno Levy on behalf of Move Movie, L’épreuve du feu is pre-purchased by Canal+ and enjoys the support of the Pays de la Loire region. Photography is entrusted to Inès Tabarin (Ama Gloria [+see also:
film review
interview: Marie Amachoukeli
film profile]) and the film will be released in French cinemas by Paname Distribution.

For the record, Move Movie are also overseeing post-production on Out of Control by Anne Le Ny (starring Omar Sy, Élodie Bouchez, Vanessa Paradis and José Garcia – due for release in France on 19 February 2025).

(Translated from French)