FILM COUNCIL INVEST £500,000 IN NEW COMEDY DRAMA

THE Film Council's Premiere Fund have announced they are investing £500,000 in internationally acclaimed director Patrice Leconte's new feature, the comedy drama ‘L'homme Du Train’.
Leconte's previous films include critical and commercial successes such as ‘The Hairdresser's Husband’, ‘Monsieur Hire’ and ‘Ridicule’.
‘L'homme Du Train’ is written by Claude Klotz and began shooting on November 8, in Annonay, France for seven weeks.
Jean Rochefort stars as Manesquier, a former teacher longing to live dangerously. French rock 'n' roll icon Johnny Hallyday also stars as Milan, a disenchanted criminal plotting to rob a local bank who longs for the pipe and slippers lifestyle. Both men meet and begin a wary friendship when Manesquier offers hospitality hoping Milan's brooding veneer rubs off on him.
The film is produced by Philippe Carcassonne, co-produced by Carl Clifton for Tubedale Films, financed by Canal Plus, the Film Council's Premiere Fund, Cine B, Zoulou Films, Sofinergie, Rhône Alpes Cinema and Eurimages. Pathé will distribute in the UK. Pathé International are handling international sales.
The Premiere Fund's first non-English speaking title demonstrates the Film Council's commitment to European production and its determination to broaden the range of European films made available to UK audiences. (CD)