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CANNES 2005 Out of competition

Joyeux Noël : A European brotherhood

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Joyeux Noël [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Christian Carion
interview: Christophe Rossignon
film profile
]
, which is Christian Carion’s second film, is a typical example of what European co-producers can do when they work together. This big-budget feature screened today out of competition has definitely brought to Cannes a great illustration of the kind of brotherhood the European Union has become ; it is a trans-border film in all respects —subject, cast, production.

Joyeux Noël depicts a few days during the First World War, especially the magical Christmas night when all soldiers —the Scottish, the German, and the French— manage to forget the horrible conflict which opposes them and get together for a bit thanks to an opera singer and a pastor. Joyeux Noël has a fantastic international cast, gathering not only the young actors Daniel Brühl and Guillaume Canet but also Diane Krüger, Gary Lewis, Benno Fürmann, and Dany Boon. Technically speaking, the film is very classical ; the emphasis is definitely put on its emotional impact and the beauty of the subject, for it is a true story which happened in 1914.

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This €18M film is the fruit of a cooperation between several production companies: Nord-Ouest Production (France - 48 %), Senator Film Produktion (Germany - 20%), Joyeux Noël Ltd (UK - 12 %), Artémis Productions (Belgium - 10 %), and Media Pro Pictures (Romania - 10 %). This collaboration allowed the film to receive an advance-on-admissions from the French CNC (270,000 euros). Joyeux Noël also benefited from the agreement between Germany and France. TF1 Productions invested €2M in it, while Canal + and Ciné Cinéma pre-bought the rights. Films Distribution will handle the international sales which are likely to be numerous, considering its interest to all Europe. It will start being released next Christmas.

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(Translated from French)

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