After the diptych The Three Musketeers [+leggi anche:
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This is the 3rd feature film co-directed by Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, after notably What's in a Name? [+leggi anche:
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Heading the cast in the title role is Pierre Niney (appreciated recently in The Book of Solutions [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Michel Gondry
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intervista: Dominik Moll
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intervista: Katell Quillévéré
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intervista: Patric Chiha
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intervista: Anamaria Vartolomei
scheda film], next year in L’Empire and Maria), Laurent Lafitte (nominated for the César award for Best Supporting Actor in 2017 and 2018 for Elle [+leggi anche:
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Q&A: Marco Bellocchio
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intervista: Mario Martone
intervista: Pierfrancesco Favino
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scheda film] and Adagio [+leggi anche:
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scheda film]). Also standing out in the cast are Patrick Mille, Vassili Schneider and Julien de Saint-Jean.

Adapted by the two directors (who also wrote among other things the scripts for the two  Three Musketeers films) from the eponymous novel by Alexandre Dumas, the script is set in Marseille in 1815. All the dreams of young Edmond Dantès (Niney) are about to come true – promoted to ship’s captain he can finally marry the love of his life, Mercedes (Demoustier). But his success inspires jealousy from various quarters. Betrayed by his rivals and denounced as a member of a pro-Bonaparte conspiracy, he is imprisoned without trial at the Château d’If, with no hope of return. After fourteen years of secret instruction by fellow inmate Abbé Faria (Favino), Dantès manages to escape and to get hold of the legendary treasure hidden on the isle of Monte Cristo. Now with a huge fortune, he hatches an extraordinary plan to exact the vengeance he craves. Assuming multiple identities – “the Count of Monte Cristo” among them – Dantès first courts his enemies, now highly placed dignitaries, the better to strike them down. But the price of revenge is heavy for one’s soul…

Produced by Dimitri Rassam for Chapter 2 and by Pathé (who will also be handling distribution in France and international sales), The Count of Monte Cristo is co-produced by Fargo Films and M6 Films (who also pre-bought the film, as did Canal+ and Ciné+) and benefits from the support of the Ile-de-France region. The direction of photography will be handled by Canada’s Nicolas Bolduc (nominated for the 2020 César in his category for La Belle Époque [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Nicolas Bedos
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For the record, Chapter 2 is preparing 13 Jours, 13 Nuits, dans l'enfer de Kaboul by Martin Bourboulon, adapted from the eponymous novel by Mohamed Bida, with Roschdy Zem heading the cast.