22/09/2006

Inactive for over 20 years, the film co-production agreement signed in 1965 between France and Sweden was reactivated this year for the production of Capitaine Achab by Philippe Ramos, shooting of which ended on September 2.

The film stars Denis Lavant, Virgil Leclaire, Dominique Blanc, Jacques Bonnaffé , Jean-François Stévenin, Carlo Brandt, Mona Heftre, singer Philippe Katherine, Hande Kodja (Murderers [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) and Jean-Paul Bonnaire (Père Maxence in The Chorus [+see also:
trailer
film profile]).

A 70% French and 30% Swedish production, the director’s second feature after Farewell Homeland in 2003 recounts the life of hero Moby Dick in five parts (three childhood and two adult episodes) and only evokes the well-known novel by Herman Melville at the end of the film. The film is due for completion in spring 2007.

Contacted by Cineuropa, producer Florence Borelly of Sésame Films briefly summarised the adventure of making the film: "We were looking for scenery similar to that of the north-eastern United States, along with the sea, and Sweden caught our attention. However, much tenacity was required in setting up this co-production. The Swedes complained about the difficulties of co-producing with other European countries other than the Nordic ones, but their system is quite difficult to access. The two-party French-Swedish co-production agreement is now to get a revamp, as a 30% minimum from Sweden is far too high. But we succeeded thanks to a young French producer who lives in Sweden (Olivier Guerpillon of DFM Fiktion), who is trying to develop a co-production agreement between our two countries. “The Cine Regio network (grouping 22 regional funds from 12 European countries) has also played a decisive role with support from Sweden’s Film i Väst and France’s Centre Images and Rhônes-Alpes Cinéma (also co-producer), a real synergy blessed with flexibility brought about thanks to Bengt Toll, Emmanuel Porchet and Grégory Faes who manage the three funds.

The Swedish press has responded well, with the seven-week shoot taking place in Sweden. Further sources of funding for Capitaine Achab came from the national institutions, the SFI and the CNC (€450,000 in advances in receipts) and we are negotiating with Trust Film Sales for the handling of international sales".

(Translated from French)