Le Pacte has nabbed the distribution rights to two features ahead of the Cannes Film Festival. The Paris-based outfit will be in charge of worldwide sales for a thriller from “Les Misérables” writer Giordano Gerdelini, and a family drama from “Diane Has the Right Shape” director Fabien Gorgeart.
Gerdelini’s “On the Edge” (original title “Entre la vie et la mort”) was shot last year and is in post-production. It is set in Brussels and centers around Leo (Antonio de la Torre), a Spanish metro driver who sees a young man in distress on the edge of the train platform. He recognizes his son Hugo right before he falls onto the rails and then dies at the hospital.
Leo had not seen his son for years, and soon will discovers that he was involved in a bloody heist. While on the trail of his son’s murderers, he is closely watched by the police, who find out that Leo’s skills in tracking and apprehending violent criminals are not those of a mere metro driver.
Gerdelini says the main character was inspired in large part by his father, whom he describes as a “very quiet man, who was never really able to rebuild himself after leaving Chile under dramatic circumstances. He has a melancholy in his eyes that will never leave him.”
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The film (pictured above), a Belgian, French, Spanish co-production, hails from Frakas Production, Noodles Productions, Fasten Films and Eyeworks.
Le Pacte’s head of international sales, Camille Neel, said: “We absolutely fell for the script and are proud to work with Giordano Gerdelini who’s work as scriptwriter on ‘Les Misérables’ was amazing. The dark atmosphere of this thriller in the tradition of the greatest Films Noirs is supported by a cast that fits perfectly with the subject. We already know Antonio de la Torre is a perfect match for thrillers and Marine Vacth and Olivier Gourmet are also in this line.”
Meanwhile Gorgeart’s latest “The Family” (or “La vraie famille” in French) stars Mélanie Thierry as Anna, who happily lives with her husband, their two boys, and Simon, 6 years old. The latter was placed with her by the Social Care services when he was only 18 months.
When Simon’s father decides that he is ready to take his son back with him, the family’s balance is at stake. Anna is torn apart and is forced to confront possibly letting go a of child who has always called her “Mom.”
Gorgeart says the idea for the film came from his mother’s experience raising a foster child in his own family, and the need he felt to “explore the paradoxical territory in which foster families evolve.”
“My film adopts Anna’s point of view to dissect the multitude of emotions she goes through during this exceptional moment of her life,” he said.
Deuxième Ligne Films and Petit Film are the production shingles behind the project.
“‘The Family’ was a revelation for everyone at Le Pacte. This heartwarming drama convinced us all. There is a real truth in each character and each of them are delicate and strong. The children are perfectly casted and Mélanie Thierry, Lyes Salem and Félix Moati bring along them a tremendous potential of emotion,” added Neel.
Le Pacte is handling distribution in France for both features.