26/06/2008

Les Derniers Jours du monde (“The Last Days of the World”), the forthcoming film by Arnaud and Jean-Marie Larrieu will have a stellar cast including Mathieu Amalric, Catherine Frot and Spanish actor Sergi López. Shooting will kick off in August.

The Larrieu brothers’ fifth feature traces the protagonist’s sentimental and sensual journey during the last ten days before the end of the world, circa 2016. The film is adapted from Dominique Noguez’s eponymous novel, which opens with a television announcement by the French President: "There is no longer any hope of survival!"

The book’s narrator – a screenwriter recovering from a break-up – sets out on a true odyssey. He travels through deserted cities that have been struck by earthquakes and epidemics, and are plagued by gangs of killers. But he also crosses paths with old friends, women who soothe his anguish during the last days of the world and a strange billionaire who throws a final orgy.

Whereas popular actress Frot (shortly to be seen in Safy Nebbou’s Mark of an Angel [+see also:
trailer
film profile], to be released on August 13) has never before worked with the Larrieu brothers, this will be Amalric’s third collaboration with the directors, following the medium-length film Roland’s Pass (2000) and A Man, A Real Man (2003) .

Currently appearing in Arnaud Desplechin’s A Christmas Tale [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], the actor has a hectic release schedule as he will grace screens in Bertrand Bonello’s On War [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (set to be released on October 1); Bruno Podalydès’ Bancs publics (Versailles rive droite) [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (“Public Stands, Versailles Right Bank” - October 22); as the bad guy opposite James Bond in Marc Forster’s Quantum of Solace [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile] (UK release October 30); as a gangster in Jean-François Richet’s Death Instinct (set for release in March 2009); and finally in Alain Resnais’ Les herbes folles (“Wild Reeds”), whose shoot is about to wrap.

Sergi López – who worked with the Larrieu brothers on To Paint or Make Love [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Arnaud & Jean-Marie Larrieu
interview: Philippe Martin
film profile] (see Focus) – is currently shooting Catherine Corsini’s Partir (“Leaving”, see news) and appeared this year in François Ozon’s Ricky.

Shooting on Les Derniers Jours du monde will last around 12 weeks in Southwest France (notably in Toulouse) and Spain. The film is produced by Bruno Pesery for Soudaine Compagnie and a Spanish company is co-producing.

The Larrieu brothers’ latest film, Le Voyage aux Pyrénées [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (“Journey to the Pyrenees”) – which was unveiled in the Directors’ Fortnight at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (see news) – will be released domestically by Diaphana on July 9.

(Translated from French)