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FESTIVALS France

Louise Michel in competition at Sundance

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Awarded Best Screenplay at San Sebastian and presented in the official selection at the London and Rome Film Festivals, the social satirical comedy Louise Michel [+see also:
film review
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interview: Benoît Delépine and Gustav…
interview: Benoît Jaubert
film profile
]
by Benoît Delépine and Gustave Kervern is set to be showcased in the US. The film is among the 16 titles selected to screen in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the 25th Sundance Film Festival (January 15-21, 2009).

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Retracing – with anarchistic black humour – the pursuit of a thuggish boss, Louise Michel is the third feature by the French duo, after Aaltra (in competition at Rotterdam in 2004) and Avida [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
(presented out of competition at Cannes 2006). The film stars Belgian actors Yolande Moreau (winner of the 2005 Best Actress César for When the Sea Rises and outstanding in Séraphine [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
, which is currently on screens) and Bouli Lanners (Eldorado [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
).

Produced by MNP Entreprise, Louise Michel was made for around €2m. The budget included co-production support from Arte France Cinéma, an advance on receipts from the National Film Centre (CNC), pre-sales from Canal + and Ciné Cinéma and backing from the Picardy region.

International sales are being handled by Funny Balloons and Ad Vitam will release the film domestically on December 24.

Another French feature taking part in the international competition at Sundance is Josiane Balasko’s Client [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
. Starring Nathalie Baye, Eric Caravaca, Isabelle Carré and the director, the film – which screened in competition at Rome – was produced by LGM for €9.55m.

The budget included co-production support from Gaumont (also international seller and domestic distributor of the film, which has garnered almost 700,000 admissions) and France 3 Cinéma, as well as backing from the Ile-de-France region.

Finally, Cold Souls – whose cast includes Emily Watson and Paul Giamatti – will vie for honours at Sundance in the US Dramatic Competition. The film is directed by France’s Sophie Barthes and co-produced by Memento Film Production and Arte France Cinéma.

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(Translated from French)

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