26/10/2009

One year after the release of his highly acclaimed Like A Star Shining in the Night [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Réné Féret starts shooting today in Paris on his 15th feature: Nannerl Mozart.

Centred on the elder sister of famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the film stars Marie Féret, Marc Barbé (who attracted attention in La Vie en Rose [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and is set to hit screens in January in Jérôme Bonnell’s The Queen of Clubs), Delphine Chuillot (My Brother is Getting Married [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jean-Stéphane Bron
interview: Thierry Spicher
film profile]) and David Moreau.

Written by the director (Jean Vigo Award in 1975 and selected in competition at Cannes in 1977), who usually produces and distributes his own films, Nannerl Mozart is loosely based on the historical character of Maria Anna Mozart, nicknamed Nannerl (Féret). As a child prodigy, she initially benefits from the eager attention of her father (Barbé), who is astounded by her musical talents, before he neglects her to focus on her similarly gifted younger brother Wolfgang (Moreau).

At nearly 15, the teenager thus comes into conflict with her adored father, who forbids her to practise violin and compose music. She meets Louis XV’s three youngest daughters at Fontevraud Abbey, falls in love with the French heir apparent, and, through her love, develops her musical talents.

"Nännerl Mozart reminds me of Camille Claudel, Adèle Hugo, these women artists prevented from practising their art, struggling sometimes to the point of madness in order to exist," commented Féret. "This is an attempt to do her justice in the name of all girls who are overlooked when it comes to artistic creation, because of their gender"

. Produced by Les Films Alyne for around €3m, Nannerl Mozart has an advance on receipts from the National Film and Moving Image Centre (CNC) and backing from the Ile-de-France and Limousin regions.

Shooting will wrap up on December 31 and the film should be ready for release next spring. JML Distribution will handle theatrical distribution in France.

(Translated from French)