22/09/2025 - Andreas Pietschmann toplines this adaptation of Sandrine Collette’s novel; the film is being staged by Windy Production and Rosebud Films, and is sold by France TV Distribution

The first clapperboard will slam on 22 September for On était des loups (lit. “We Were Wolves”), the feature-length fiction debut by François Busnel, best known as a journalist, literary critic, and radio and TV producer and presenter. He previously directed the documentary Seule la terre est éternelle.

The cast includes Germany’s Andreas Pietschmann (the series Dark and 1899 [+see also:
trailer
series profile], Belle et Sébastien [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile]), young actor César Richier Le Moan (who rose to fame as a rapper speaking out in support of the climate, and who is appearing in a feature for the first time), Marie-Sophie Ferdane (who won an award for the TV movie Underground Time), the USA’s Denis O’Hare (Dallas Buyers Club, The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Olivier Masset-Depasse
film profile]), Switzerland’s Carlo Brandt (Across the Sea [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Saïd Hamich Benlarbi
film profile], Much Loved [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]), Genc Jakupi (who turned heads in In the Name of Blood [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Akaki Popkhadze
film profile]), Robin Greer, Anne Loiret and Jean-Louis Garçon.

Adapted from Sandrine Collette’s novel of the same name by the director himself together with Delphine de Vigan, the story revolves around Liam and Ava, who live in the great outdoors, far away from it all, with their son Aru. One morning, as Liam is returning from a hunt in the mountain forests, he discovers some bear tracks. Next to them lies his wife’s motionless body – and his son, Aru, who is still alive. As his life crumbles around him, Liam can only be sure of one thing: this brutal world is no place for a child. Having resolved to entrust his son to someone else, he begins a long voyage on horseback with Aru. However, this deep into Mother Nature, no one knows what might happen, let alone a man driven mad by grief and pain, accompanied by a terrified child... In the heart of the wilderness, which is by turns magnificent and menacing, Liam and Aru’s journey becomes an examination of paternal instinct and the price of a possible rebirth.

Produced by Carole Lambert for Windy Production and by Emmanuel Perreau for Rosebud Films, On était des loups is being co-produced by France 2 Cinéma, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, Scala Films (Mélanie Biessy), Vinci Productions, Caféine Productions, Canada’s Productions Caramel Film, and Belgium’s Panache Productions and La Compagnie Cinématographique. Having been pre-purchased by Canal+, Ciné+, OCS and France Télévisions, the feature is also being backed by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The shoot will take place until mid-November in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions, as well as in Canada, with Léo Lefèvre (Else [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) in charge of the cinematography. Interestingly, the editing will be entrusted to Yann Dedet (César Award in his category in 2012, and nominated in 1986, 1988 and 2024 for The Goldman Case [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Cédric Kahn
film profile]), and the music will be composed by Delphine Malausséna (César-nominated last year for Junkyard Dog [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). The French theatrical release will be handled by Nour Films and the international sales by France TV Distribution.

As a reminder, Windy Production’s portfolio includes Consent [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Vanessa Filho and Species by Marion Le Corroller (see the news), the latter of which is in post-production.

(Translated from French)