02/06/2014 - The DoP’s feature debut is being handled by Unité de production, with Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache as associate producers

According to Cineuropa’s sources, the shoot for Learn by Heart, the feature directorial debut by Mathieu Vadepied is beginning today in Stains, in the Paris region. Twice nominated for the César Award for Best DoP (for Read My Lips [+see also:
trailer
film profile] in 2002 and The Intouchables [+see also:
film review
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film profile] in 2012), the first-time filmmaker has assembled a cast comprising a troupe of young actors who will be making their on-screen debuts.

Written by the director together with Olivier Demangel (who recently collaborated on the writing of 9–Month Stretch [+see also:
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film profile]) and Vincent Poymiro (Tehilim [+see also:
film review
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film profile], Going South [+see also:
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film profile], Last Winter [+see also:
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interview: John Shank
film profile]), the plot revolves around 13-and-a-half-year-old Adama, who lives alone with his mother among the tower blocks. Everything around him is broken: his family, his school – and even the washing machine. A police raid that unfolds before his very eyes will soon change his life, perhaps giving him the chance to fix everything...

Produced by Bruno Nahon with a new company named Unité de production, Learn by Heart also sees the involvement of associate producers Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache (the famous directors of The Intouchables) for Ten Films. Co-produced by France 3 Cinéma and Gaumont (which will handle distribution in French theatres and head up international sales), the film has also been pre-purchased by Canal +. Filming will take place in Stains until 25 July.

Bruno Nahon has made a strong name for himself since he started out as a producer at Zadig Films and has four feature films to his credit: Louise Wimmer [+see also:
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film profile] by Cyril Mennegun (winner of the César Award for Best Feature Debut in 2013), Les invisibles [+see also:
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film profile] by Sébastien Lifshitz (winner of the César for Best Documentary in 2013), Comment j'ai détesté les maths [+see also:
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film profile] by Olivier Peyon (nominated for the César for Best Documentary in 2014) and Hope [+see also:
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interview: Boris Lojkine
film profile] by Boris Lojkine (which won an award ten days ago at the Cannes Critics’ Week – read the review and watch the interview with the director).

(Translated from French)