31/07/2018 - This sketch film revolving around new technologies is being directed by Tristan Aurouet, Thomas Bidegain, Marc Fitoussi, Cyril Gelblat and Vianney Lebasque

The sketch film, a genre that is not often explored in contemporary French cinema (although we could cite a couple of recent examples, such as Je suis partout and The Players [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), will see a new prototype hitting screens in the first half of 2019, in the guise of Smiley, shooting for which kicked off on 4 June.

Five directors have been roped in to direct the five different segments: Tristan Aurouet (who rose to fame with The Secret Adventures of Gustav Klopp), Thomas Bidegain (who took part in the 2015 Directors’ Fortnight with Cowboys [+see also:
film review
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film profile]), Marc Fitoussi (Copacabana [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Pauline détective [+see also:
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film profile]), Cyril Gelblat (Les murs porteurs [+see also:
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film profile], Dad in Training [+see also:
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film profile]) and Vianney Lebasque (Les Petits Princes [+see also:
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film profile] and Les Beaux Esprits [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which will be screened at Locarno as the opening film of the Piazza Grande).

The cast includes Finnegan Oldfield (nominated for the César Award for Most Promising Actor in 2016 for Cowboys and Reinventing Marvin [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], also popular in Nocturama [+see also:
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interview: Bertrand Bonello
film profile] and Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story) [+see also:
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interview: Eva Husson
film profile]), Max Boublil (Let the Girls Play [+see also:
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film profile], The New Kid [+see also:
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interview: Rudi Rosenberg
film profile]), Elsa Zylberstein (César Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2009 for I’ve Loved You So Long [+see also:
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film profile], Paul Sanchez Is Back! [+see also:
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film profile] and C’est la vie! [+see also:
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trailer
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film profile]), Julia Piaton (Serial (Bad) Weddings [+see also:
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film profile]), Thomas de Pourquery (Struggle for Life [+see also:
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film profile]) and Fanny Sidney (the series Call My Agent!).

Five screenwriters have been partnered up with the five directors. They are, respectively, Giulio Callegari, Noé Débré (nominated for the César Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2016 for Dheepan [+see also:
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Q&A: Jacques Audiard
film profile]), Hélène Lombard, Julien Sibony (Secrets of State [+see also:
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film profile]) and Bertrand Soulier. The story hinges on the idea that in a world where digital technology has invaded every aspect of our lives, some of us end up simply giving in. Whether you’re an addict or a technophobe, at home with the family or at school, at work or in a romantic relationship, Smiley sketches out the hilarious and brutal destinies of Homo Digitalis on the verge of a nervous breakdown… 

Produced by Julien Sibony and Adrien Desanges for Mandoline Films and by Chez Georges Productions, Smiley is being co-produced by France 2 Cinéma. The movie, which has also been pre-purchased by Canal+ and Ciné+, will be distributed in France by Apollo Films.

(Translated from French)