27/04/2010

This is the last week of shooting near Melun, in the Paris region, on Julien Leclercq’s second feature: The Assault. After science fiction (Chrysalis [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in 2007), this time the director is tackling what he describes as an intimist war film, "a Private Ryan in a cockpit".

His new film looks back at the events of December 24, 1994 in Algiers, when an Air France Airbus A300 carrying 227 passengers was hijacked by four GIA (Armed Islamic Group) terrorists. The incident ended at Marignane airport, near Marseille, with the successful storming of the plane by special forces, which was broadcast live on television.

The film’s cast includes Vincent Elbaz, Aymen Saïdi, Gregori Derangère, Philippe Cura, Mélanie Bernier, Antoine Basler and Marie Guillard.

Co-scripted by Simon Moutaïrou and Leclercq, the film analyses the 54 hours leading up to the hostage-taking on the tarmac in Algiers from three different viewpoints: the GIGN (National Police Intervention Group) units, the terrorists and politicians. The ending shows the storming by the GIGN filmed in real time (18 minutes).

Produced by the director and Julien Madon for Labyrinthe Films, The Assault has been pre-bought by Canal + and Ciné Cinéma. Shooting kicked off on March 15 and has taken place in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Ile-de-France regions.

The production team got hold of an Airbus cabin in order to recreate the main setting for the film and the actors underwent intensive preparatory training with the GIGN. Mars Distribution will release the film in France and Elle Driver is handling international sales.

(Translated from French)