The film project L’Odyssee, presented by Versus, is a biopic of the inspiring life of renowned French oceanographer Captain Jean-Jacques Cousteau. The film portrays a rugged individualist who would sacrifice anything – including his family – to follow his dreams.
The early footage we have had the chance to see looks terrific. This major production, both intimate and thrilling, should make movie lovers happy, in France and beyond!
The film, directed by Jérôme Salle (Largo Winch), features an impressive cast of French stars including Lambert Wilson, Audrey Tautou and Pierre Niney. Images, sound and special effects will be handled by the Wallonia-based company Mikros.
The second project, entitled “Scribe”, appears to be a 70’s styled thriller. Two years after coming out of a nervous breakdown, Duval, is unemployed and broke. Contacted by a mysterious employer about a shadowy wiretapping mission, he decides to accept the job without any further information, however, things do not turn out as expected…
This is the first feature film of French director Thomas Kruithof, starring famous French actor Francois Cluzet (“Les Intouchables”) as Duval. Co-producing the film in Belgium, Scope Pictures hired Walloon professionals for key positions and cast many Belgian actors to play supporting roles.
The same air of mystery is found in “Méprises”, the third project green lighted. The film, by Belgian director Bernard Declercq, is adapted from Alain Monnier’s book Côté Jardin. It begins with a love story between Jacques and the beautiful, enigmatic Francoise. Things are not that simple as Jacques is suffering from a disease and must undergo complex surgery… just the beginning of a dramatic descent into hell…
The shooting and postproduction will take place in Wallonia, with Fabrizio Rongione (Two Days, One Night) and Pascal Greggory in the leading roles. Produced by first-time duo Nicolas George from Films du Carré and Jean-Luc Vandamme (Survive), this “small “ project looks promising…
Continuing along the theme of intense relations, Barrage features French actress Isabelle Huppert and her (real life) daughter Lolita Chammah sharing the screen for the second time – 6 years after their performance in Marc Fitoussi’s Copacabana. This family drama tells the story of a mother trying to reconnect with her daughter after years of absence. But renewing ties with a grown-up daughter, now a young and talented professional tennis player, is not so easy…
The film is a Luxembourg – Walloon co-production with Entre Chien et Loup on the Walloon side. Two Walloon technical managers will work on this project which will be partly shot (10 days) and partly post-produced in our region : Genval le Dame is handling the image and sound, Benuts the credits and special effects). Guaranteed to please Wallimage ! A production expected to create enthusiasm among international audiences… and festivals.
In another vein, “What Happened to Monday” is a Norwegian science fiction film directed by Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow, Hansel & Gretel). First initiated in the UK, the project has become an international blockbuster casting major stars Noomi Rapace (Millenium, The Drop, Prometheus…), Willem Dafoe and Glenn Close. On the Walloon side, the project is supported by Nexus Factory.
Shot in Eastern Europe, it will have post-production partly done in Wallonia, notably special effects at Benuts. Mixing elements of Gattaca, Blade Runner, Nobody Knows and Lucy, What Happened to Monday plunges us into the near future. In an overpopulated, starving world, Governments impose a drastic one-child-only policy … ignoring the existence of a hidden 7-children brotherhood…
An exciting and very promising project!
Last but not least, a very different, low cost TV documentary project has been selected. The documentary examines a major Belgian architect from the second half of the 20th Century: this is about Charles Vandenhove, and how his avant-garde work in Belgium and abroad has largely influenced contemporary architecture. This 52-minute film, produced by Les Films de la Passerelle and directed by Jacques Donjean, has completed shooting, 25 days of which were mainly in Wallonia. Entire post-production will take place in Wallonia as well. The film is expected to hit Belgian screens in early of 2016.
This is how 2015 closes for Wallimage. The next session is scheduled for 11 January 2016. The first of five to come (in January, April, June, September and November)… with an increased budget !
