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PRODUCTION / FUNDING France

Garance Marillier, pioneering star of women’s football in Marinette

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- The cast of Virginie Verrier's second feature, a Vigo Films production sold by France TV Distribution, also includes Émilie Dequenne, Fred Testot and Sylvie Testud

Garance Marillier, pioneering star of women’s football in Marinette
Actress Garance Marillier (© Aurélie Lamachère/Semaine de la Critique)

Started on 31 January, the shooting of Marinette [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Virginie Verrier
film profile
]
, Virginie Verrier's second feature film after À 2 heures de Paris [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
(2018), is in full swing in the Hauts de France. The title role of footballer Marinette Pichon is played by Garance Marillier (nominated for a César in 2018 for Best Newcomer for Raw [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Julia Ducournau
film profile
]
, last year in Titane [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Julia Ducournau, Vincent Li…
film profile
]
and Madame Claude [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Florence Gastaud
film profile
]
and soon to be seen in Rue des dames).


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She is joined by the Belgian Émilie Dequenne (who won last year's César for Best Supporting Actress for Love Affair(s) [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Emmanuel Mouret
film profile
]
), Fred Testot (who was already involved in the director's first feature film), Sylvie Testud (recently in Suspiria [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
and soon in Simone, A Woman of the Century), Alban Lenoir (currently in theatres in Cop Goes Missing [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
) and Caroline Proust (starring in the series Engrenages).


Adapted by Virginie Verrier and Brigitte Tanguy from the biography Ne jamais rien lâcher, the script traces the career of Marinette Pichon over three decades. Born in 1975, she was the pioneer of French women's football and one of the greatest stars of that sport in the world. A prodigy discovered at the age of five, she went on to become the first French player to make a career in the United States (men/women combined) and the record holder for the number of goals and selections for the French team (men/women combined). From her childhood, ravaged by an alcoholic and violent father, to the American dream (she was crowned best player and best scorer in the prestigious US league in 2002 and 2003 and "Most Valuable Player" in 2003), via her career with the French team, Marinette paints the portrait of a kid from a working-class background who was not destined for such an extraordinary career path...

Produced by Vigo Films (the director's company), Marinette is co-produced by France 3 Cinéma and Pictanovo. Also pre-purchased by Canal+ and Ciné+, the feature is shooting until 18 March with Xavier Dolléans as director of photography. French distribution will be handled by The Jokers Films and international sales will be handled by France TV Distribution.

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(Translated from French)

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