Thursday 17 July saw filming kick off on a new adaptation of Victor Hugo’s great classic, Les Misérables. After Tom Hooper (2012), Bille August (1998), Claude Lelouch (1995), Robert Hossein (1982), Jean-Paul Le Chanois (1958) and Lewis Milestone (1952), to name but a few directors, it’s now Fred Cavayé’s turn to tackle this literary megalith.

Les Misérables will be the 8th feature film by the director who was revealed via Anything For Her [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Fred Cavayé
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Cavayé has pulled together an XXL cast, including Vincent Lindon (awarded the Volpi Cup for Best Actor last year in Venice via The Quiet Son [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Nathan Ambrosioni
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intervista: Frédéric Tellier
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intervista: Emmanuel Courcol
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intervista: Cédric Klapisch
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intervista: Mareike Engelhardt
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intervista: Rodrigo Sorogoyen e Isabel…
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intervista: Céline Rouzet
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Written by the director, this story revolves around Jean Valjean (Vincent Lindon), a convict who has escaped prison after serving 16 years for stealing a loaf of bread and who is now devoting himself to doing good. He seeks redemption by reinventing himself as a respected dignitary under a new identity. He promises Fantine (Noémie Merlant), a dying factory worker, to rescue and protect her daughter Cosette (Megan Northam) who is being exploited and mistreated by the deceitful innkeeper family, the Thénardiers (Camille Cottin and Benjamin Lavernhe). Valjean raises Cosette as his own, but he is relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert (Tahar Rahim). Amidst the social unrest shaking France to the core, the fates of Valjean, Cosette, her lover Marius (Vassili Schneider), and Javert become intertwined in a turbulent, revolutionary Paris. Through struggles, sacrifices, and a deep yearning for justice, Valjean strives to complete his journey of redemption and offer Cosette a future of love and freedom.

Les Misérables is being produced by Richard Grandpierre on behalf of Eskwad and by Olivier Delbosc for Curiosa Films, in co-production with StudioCanal (who will distribute the film in French cinemas on 11 November 2026) and TF1 Films Production. Likewise pre-purchased by Canal+ and Netflix, the film will be shot over 17 weeks in Bordeaux, Bry-sur-Marne and Paris, with Denis Rouden heading up photography.