French sales company SND has revealed a first look image and fresh production details for Princes Of The Desert, Eric Barbier’s adventure film starring Alexandra Lamy, and has unveiled details of its extensive AFM slate.
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Mika is behind the soundtrack for Princes of the Desert which was previously titled Tehu. Lamy, whose credits include Rolling To You, replaces the previously announced Charlotte Gainsbourg in the film.
The film, produced by SND alongside Vertigo Productions (De Gaulle, Would I Lie to You), follows a young Berber boy who bonds with a camel as they cross the Sahara on an epic journey. Currently in post-production, SND will release the film in France on February 8, 2023.
SND, the feature film arm of France’s M6 broadcasting group, will screen a promo reel for the first time to buyers at the upcoming AFM.
SND director of international distribution Ramy Nahas described the film to Screen as “the endearing story of the duo Zodi and Tehu, full of twists and wonderful, unfamiliar settings. Tinged with a road movie from the Sahara to the Gulf countries, this epic adventure plot has the strength of old-time stories, while being very modern and bound to our time.” He added: “Princes Of The Desert is a project that appeals to a wide mainstream and family audience across the world.”
AFM slate
Lamy also stars in SND adventure tale The Book Of Wonders from Oscar-winning Coda producer Philippe Rousselet and Eric Jehelmann. Based on a best-selling novel, the adventure tale from director Lisa Azuelos (Sweetheart, Dalida) tells the story of a woman who finds her 12 year-old son’s bucket list when he falls into a coma and sets off to make his wishes come true. SND will release The Book of Wonders in France in March 2023.
SND will also deliver The Baby to AFM buyers. The film from prolific French director Guillaume Nicloux (Valley Of Love, Lockdown Tower) stars Fabrice Luchini in a story about family, grief and resilience. The title is produced by Les Films du Kiosque, François Kraus and Denis Pineau-Valencienne’s Paris-based production company which is behind Nicolas Bedos’ Mascarade and La Belle Epoque and the upcoming French painter drama Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe.
“This is the first time we are developing a project with Guillaume Nicloux who is a unique, exacting filmmaker and a great director of actors, whom we admire enormously and who has shown the extent of his talent in very different genres, from thrillers to dark comedy,” Kraus told Screen. SND will release the film in France in September 2023.
Also at AFM, SND will unveil a first promo reel for Laetitia Colombani’s The Braid based on the director’s own best-selling book that sold more than eight million copies worldwide and is about the intertwining stories of three different women in India, Canada and Italy. The film shot in Hindi, English and Italian stars Kim Raver, Fotini Peluso, Mia Maelzer and Avi Nash and is produced by Moana Films (Knock, The Odyssey). Curiosa Films, the French company behind Xavier Giannoli’s Lost Illusions Venice title that won seven César awards including best film, co-produces. The soundtrack is by Ludovico Einaudi who notably scored Mommy and The Father. SND will release The Braid in local theatres on November 29, 2023.
SND will also screen a promo reel of Julien Hervé’s French comedy Ooh La La! about shocking DNA tests that throw off a couple’s wedding plans. Currently in post-production, SND also produced the film with White and Yellow Productions. It stars Christian Clavier (Kamelott, With Open Arms) alongside Sylvie Testud, Didier Bourbon and Marianne Denicourt.
Other highlights from the company’s AFM line-up include psychological thriller Visions starring Diane Kruger and Mathieu Kassovitz and a first teaser for the SND-produced Frédéric Tellier biopic Abbé Pierre-A Century Of Devotion about the titular Catholic priest.
Expanding scope
SND has expanded its scope to not only distribute films in France and handle international sales, but also to produce several titles.
SND title Kompromat from director Jerome Salle, starring ubiquitous actor Gilles Lellouche, has had a solid run at the box office with 600,000 tickets sold since its early autumn release, boosting ticket sales even during the rough month of September for theatres in the territory.
SND upcoming releases include Julia(s), A great Friend and The Jungle Bunch World Tour.
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