Here’s the poster for Sylvain White’s latest – his first film since The Losers in 2010 – an adaptation of French author Jean-Christophe Grangé’s thriller Miserere.
The film already opened in France, but, as of today, has no USA distributor, and seemingly no interest. So the likelihood of a USA release is probably slim. Although maybe DVD or VOD availability is possible.
It would be great if there were a company with the resources interested in picking up films like this to release – whether on DVD or on VOD – in the USA. We write about so many of them but we get to see so very few of them.
Here’s a description of the project which titled La marque des anges (The Mark of Angels).
Paris. A choir master is found mysteriously murdered in a church, his eardrums blown out. Investigating is homicide Police Commander LIONEL KASDAN, just-retired but desperate to come back to action. Kasdan teams with Interpol Captain FRANK SALEK, a short-tempered younger cop. Together, they try to uncover the secrets of an international organization and crack this unusual case, leading to the captain’s childhood and a dark secret from his past.
It’s said to be quite dark and macabre, and one of author Jean-Christophe’s best and most disturbing thrillers, that involves human scientific experiments and much more.
In Sylvain White’s adaptation, Gérard Depardieu plays the veteran cop, and French rapper-turned-actor Joeystarr is the short-tempered younger cop.
From the looks of it, comparisons to films like Seven will probably happen.
Thierry Lhermitte, Belgian actress Helena Noguerra, and Swiss actress Marthe Keller round out what appears to be a rather strong cast.
Produced by Stéphane Sperry for Liaison Films, the all-French production of Miserere was made for €15m (or about $20 million), with backing from Pathé Films, as well as pre-sales by Canal + and Ciné+.
The film was shot mostly in Paris, and a few locations in Belgium as well.
It’s good to see Sylvain getting behind the camera for another feature film again. Let’s hope it travels.
While we wait, here’s the new poster. Underneath it, you’ll fin the trailer (which isn’t subtitled), and, below it, you’ll find a transcript/English translation of what’s said in it:
LIONEL
40 years of my life hunting down criminals and suddenly nothing.
LIONEL
Did they pierce his eardrums?
CORONER
More than just the eardrums, the entire ear was destroyed.
V.O.
Why don’t you let the police handle all of this?
LIONEL
I can’t help it.
FRANK
Frank Salek from Interpol and you are?
LIONEL
Lionel Kasdan, BRI.
FRANK
The French police has no age cap, huh?
FRANK
The list comes from a group that kidnaps orphans around the world.
LIONEL
Well, that’s already two dead from your list.
FRANK
And why would I bother working with a retiree like you?
LIONEL
Because you look like you’d fuck up when you’re working alone.
WOMAN
Frank, I swear they won’t miss you.
UNKNOWN
It’s my investigation not theirs.
FRANK
That thing he had me hold … Too much violence, man. We have to stop these guys.
LIONEL
[unintelligible]
PRIEST
The concert can begin.
CHOIR SINGING.
LIONEL
I found myself powerless, unable to do anything.
FRANK
I need real, concrete answers.
WOMAN
You realize you may never catch them.
FRANK
What’s important is that I start looking, otherwise I’m dead.
PRIEST
The concert can begin.
