17/06/2010

In Corsica, the final leg of shooting is currently underway on Jean Luc Perréard’s debut feature: Itinéraire Bis (“Alternative Route”), a comedy based around the classic theme of an encounter between two people who ostensibly have nothing in common.

The cast includes Fred Testot (Sphinx [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Leïla Bekhti (A Prophet [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jacques Audiard
interview: Jacques Audiard and Tahar R…
film profile], All That Glitters [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Jean-Francois Stévenin, Christiane Millet, Lucia Sanchez and Jean-François Perrone.

Scripted by Pierre Salvadori (director of Priceless [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Jacques Monnet, the film centres on 35-year-old Jean, who still lives with his mother in a small Corsican town and works as a cook in the family restaurant. To his despair, his future is all mapped out: he is expected to take over the restaurant.

But one day, Nora, a young woman full of character, is thrown into the sea from a racing yacht. She lands up before Jean’s eyes. Adventure comes knocking on his door, as well as a very eventful night, involving a car drive with a woman who is as unpredictable as she is attractive, taking him a long way from home.

Produced by Pauline Duhault for Elia Films, Itinéraire Bis is co-produced by Mars Films. Pre-bought by Canal + and Ciné Cinéma, the feature has backing from the PACA and Corsica regions, Sofica Cofimage 22 and Soficinema.

The six-and-a-half week shoot has taken place in the Menton area and relocated to Corsica on May 19. Mars Distribution will release the film in French theatres in spring 2011 and international sales are being managed by Elle Driver.

(Translated from French)