03/03/2011

Moving from one genre to another since the start of his career, Marseilles-born director Olivier Dahan (Already Dead, Ghost River, Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse, La Vie en Rose [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) will start shooting on April 12 on his eighth feature: Les Seigneurs (“The Lords”), a comedy centred on a former professional footballer who takes on an amateur team.

The cast includes an impressive host of highly popular actors who are more than at ease with the comic format: José García (The Axe [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Gad Elmaleh (Priceless [+see also:
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film profile]), Franck Dubosc (Camping [+see also:
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film profile]), Jean-Pierre Marielle (Let’s Dance [+see also:
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film profile]), Ramzy Bedia (Seuls Two [+see also:
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film profile]), Omar Sy (Micmacs [+see also:
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film profile]) and Joey Starr (All About Actresses [+see also:
trailer
film profile]).

Co-scripted by Philippe and Marc de Chauveron (who wrote the script to Neuilly Yo Mama [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) with Dahan and Isaac Sharry, the film centres on fifty-something Patrick Orbéra, a former football star who has completely failed to convert to a new career. Unemployed, alcoholic and financially ruined, he is no longer even allowed to see his daughter Laura.

When a judge orders him to find a stable job, he has no other choice but to set off to a small Breton island to train the local football team. If they win the next three matches, they will raise enough money to save the island’s canning factory, which has been put into administration and employs half of the inhabitants.

Patrick Orbéra is immediately faced with a major obstacle: how to turn some fishermen into quasi-professional footballers. He thus decides to call on his former team-mates to help him raise the little Breton club to the level of the greats.

Produced by Isaac Sharry for Vito Films, Les Seigneurs has co-production support from TF1 Films Productions and a pre-acquisition from Canal +. The 12-week shoot will take place in the Paris area and on the Breton island of Molène.

French distribution will be managed by Warner Bros. (the release date is already set for April 11, 2012), while international sales are still under negotiation.

(Translated from French)