Marchal ready to shoot Le Gang des Lyonnais

by Fabien Lemercier

29/06/2010 - On July 13, shooting will start in Lyon on Olivier Marchal’s highly-anticipated fourth feature: Le Gang des Lyonnais (“The Gang from Lyon”). After Gangsters (2002), 36 [trailer] (2004), MR73 [trailer] (2008) and the first season of TV series Braquo, the director, who is considered a driving force in the revival of thrillers in French cinema, will explore the career of the Lyon gang. Led by a figure from the world of organised crime, Edmond Vidal, this gang carried out over 35 hold-ups between 1967 and 1977.

The cast includes Gérard Lanvin (Secrets of State [trailer]), Daniel Duval (Hidden [trailer, film focus]), Dimitri Storoge (The Ordinary Poeple [trailer]), Valeria Cavalli, Stéphane Caillard, Patrick Catalifo, Tchéky Karyo, Lionel Astier, Francis Renaud, Olivier Chantreau and François Levantal.

Co-scripted by Marchal and Edgar Marie, Le Gang des Lyonnais traces the life of Vidal, nicknamed Momon, starting with the present day, when the "retired" gangster (Lanvin) sees his past catch up with him. Flashbacks will plunge viewers into the young days of Momon (where he is played by Storoge), into the heart of the gang’s activities, his relations with the criminal world and his clashes with the police.

Duval will play a leading gang figure (Jean-Pierre Gandeboeuf, known as Christo), while two actresses, Cavalli and Caillard, will share the role of Vidal’s wife during the two time periods of the film.

Produced by the director’s regular collaborators, Cyril Colbeau-Justin and Jean-Baptiste Dupont for LGM Cinéma, Le Gang des Lyonnais is co-produced by Gaumont, Hatalom and France 2 Cinéma. The film has also been pre-bought by Canal+ and Ciné Cinéma.

Lasting until the end of October, the 62-day shoot will take place almost entirely in the Lyon area, except for three days in Spain. Gaumont will manage French distribution and international sales.

(Translated from French)