The origin story of Jean Valjean, the enduring protagonist of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece “Les Misérables,” is being dropped at the bigscreen by Éric Besnard, the French director of 18th-century set film “Delicieux.”
The film, which simply began filming on Jan. 14 amid the luxurious landscapes of Southern France, has been boarded by Federations Studios’ gross sales label Ginger & Fed spearheaded by Sabine Chemaly. The challenge is being teased to consumers on the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris which kicked off on Monday (Jan. 13).
“Valjean” reteams Besnard with French actor Gregory Gadebois who starred in his earlier movie, the Nineteenth-century set film “Louise Violet.” Gadebois stars as Valjean, reverse Bernard Campan, Isabelle Carré and Alexandra Lamy.
Clément Miserez and Matthieu Warter at Mediawan-owned banner Radar Movies is producing. Warner Bros. France will launch the movie domestically. France 3 Cinéma is a co-producer. “Valjean” can also be backed by Ciné+, OCS, HBO Max, Entourage and Cinécap.
Chemaly informed Selection that the formidable function will chart “Valjean’s transformation from a hardened prison to a great man and a hero after his pivotal encounter with a benevolent bishop.”
“As with Eric Besnard’s earlier movies, similar to ‘Delicieux’ or ‘Louise Violet,’ ‘Valjean’ has a humanistic dimension and offers with redemption,” says Chemaly, who describes the movie because the “origin story” of Valjean, and his “metamorphosis.”
The movie charts the journey of Jean Valjean who’s embittered when he’s launched from jail and doesn’t consider in something anymore. He’s ostracized and thought of harmful; however his life takes an sudden flip after he meets a bishop who treats him with kindness and generosity, regardless of Valjean robbing him.
“This act of kindness by the bishop is a turning level for Jean Valjean, because it exhibits him that there’s nonetheless good on this planet. He begins to query his personal decisions and begins to see that there’s one other path for him. The movie follows the steps that result in Jean Valjean to turn out to be the person he was all the time meant to be, a great man who needs to assist others,” says Chemaly. In addition to Valjean, the movie’s key characters are the bishop, in addition to his servant and sister.
Budgeted at 7 million euros, the film incorporates a bevy of exterior units, with an emphasis on nature, as in Besnard’s earlier movies. Radar Movies’ observe file embody many well-liked films, such because the “Belle et Sebastien” franchise, and extra not too long ago “On the Wandering Paths” starring Jean Dujardin.
On the heels of the success of “The Depend of Monte-Cristo” and “The Three Musketeers” – produced by one other Mediawan-owned outfit, Chapter 2 –, “Valjean” is predicted to spark curiosity from worldwide consumers.
Ginger & Fed’s gross sales slate additionally consists of “The Future Awaits,” Niels Tavernier’s WWII-set drama primarily based on the true story of a Holocaust survivor.