Principal photography on Le grand réveil, Louda Ben Salah-Cazanas’ second feature film after The World After Us (acclaimed in the Berlinale’s Panorama line-up), has kicked off today, 30 September, in Lille.

Heading up the cast are Anthony Bajon (awarded the Silver Bear for Best Actor in Berlin thanks to The Prayer and set to be seen in early 2027 in En haut de la pile, Beaux Seigneurs and Les Princes) and Benjamin Lavernhe (nominated for the Best Actor César via Abbé Pierre – A Century of Devotion and The Marching Band, with Les Misérables set to open in France on 14 October). They’re joined by Belgian actress Salomé Dewaels (nominated for the Most Promising Actress César Award via Lost Illusions and the winner of this year’s René Prize for Best Supporting Role thanks to Nino) and comedian Augustin Shackelpopoulos (set to be seen in L’Apocalypse next year).

Written by the director and Rémi Bassaler (La dernière patiente), the screenplay centres on Paul, a young journalist who’s tasked with investigating conspiracy circles. Having infiltrated a radicalised group, he bonds with a man who’s planning to abduct his son after losing a custody battle…

Le grand réveil is produced by Olivier Capelli for Les Idiots and by Mathieu Robinet for Tandem (who will release the film in French cinemas), in co-production with Pictanovo Région Hauts-de-France and Belgian firm Umedia. Pre-purchased by Ciné+ OCS, Paramount+, W9 and Netflix, the feature film will be shot over 25 days (23 in Lille and two in Paris), with international sales falling to WTFilms.