17/04/2007

While awaiting the April 26 press conference, at which will be unveiled the full programme of the 46th International Critics’ Week (SIC) of the 60th Cannes Film Festival (May 17-25), the team of selectors headed by Jean-Christophe Berjon yesterday evening announced that Bruno Merle’s thriller Héros [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] will open the section.

Heading the bill in the wholly produced French feature are the highly whimsical Michaël Youn and Patrick Chesnais (Not Here to Be Loved [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). Elodie Bouchez, Jackie Berroyer and Raphaël Benayoun also star.

Co-scripted by the director and Emmanuelle Destremau (with Youn also credited for the dialogue), the film recounts how comedian Pierre Forêt’s humour gets him involved in a drama. Although he would have preferred to be handsome, and an actor or singer, Pierre’s job consists of repeating the same jokes daily to warm up audiences of a television show.

He snaps one day and ends up not sleeping for almost a week. The reason for his insomnia: he kidnaps his idol, singer Clovis Costa, whom he holds captive in his childhood apartment.

Produced by Cyriac Auriol for Les Films du Requin, the €2.65m Héros was backed by ARTE France Cinéma (€200,000 in co-production and €100,000 in pre-sales), co-produced by Artistic Images and received pre-sales from Canal+ and Ciné Cinéma.

Rezo will distribute the film in France, while international sales are being handled by Coach 14, a newly-formed company directed by Pape Boye.

(Translated from French)