Death on the Track with Jason Priestley: We were on set about the 24 Hours of Le Mans

A few weeks ago, Jason Priestley, the unforgettable interpreter of Brandon Walsh in the cult 1990s series Beverly Hills, was in France to film Death on the Trail, a police TV movie for France 3, with Eleanor Bernheim (L’Art Crime) and Olivier. Marshall (condition).

Story ? A few days before the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a driver’s body was found on the track during the first practice of the race. Captain Sabrina Nejard (Eleanor Bernheim), supported by Ryan Martin (Jason Priestley), a cop straight from Los Angeles, is then in charge of the investigation.

While their investigations promise to lead them to the stables and workshops of Le Mans’ famous amateur family team, it also turns out that Ryan Martin is a former driver of the 24 Hours of Le Mans who, by chance, is not returning…

Shot from April 14 to May 14, 2023, Alocine had a chance to go on the sets of this thriller like no other.

A police investigation against the legendary race

2023 is a big year for the motorsport world as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s largest endurance event, celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Although motor sports have already inspired many internationally acclaimed films such as Le Mans and Le Mans 66, Jean-Baptiste Neyrac, the producer of Mort sur la piste, set himself a major challenge.

At the head of this project we meet Didier Neyrac, one of the screenwriters of the film and the brother of the producer. A France Télévisions cameraman for many years, the last 25 years covering the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as Jean-Baptiste Neurac told us.

“My brother had an idea for a short in which an American actor played a policeman who returned to France. Starting from this idea, we discussed with France Télévisions to create a project for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.“The centenary of this mythical race took place this year, Jean-Baptiste Neurac felt it”There was a real logic to it.“

At the same time, we had to convince the Association Club de l’Ouest, creator and organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, to be able to film part of this magnificent circuit. “We explained to them that in the world of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a thriller could attract 5 to 6 million viewers. Thanks to this argument, it worked“- explains this passionate producer. Indeed, the film crew was able to shoot for two days on this mythical circuit.

After securing an agreement with ACO and France Télévisions, Jean-Baptiste Neyrac chose Matthieu Savignac (Meutres à Chantilly) to direct his brother’s original synopsis and write the screenplay.

Jason Priestley, former racing driver

In this film, Jason Priestley plays Ryan Martin, a former American racing driver turned police officer. From the beginning, Jean-Baptiste Neyrac wanted Anglo-Saxon to bring his features to the character. For him, “A Frenchman who was going to speak with an accent was out of the question.“.

So he worked with an English cast member to find a comedian who would have “significant awareness“And who is at the same time”economically available“. List of 15 actors whose names we couldn’t find was Jason Priestley”at the top of the list“.

The choice is certainly not trivial, as the actor has a lot in common with Ryan Martin. While he’s apparently never been a cop, Jason Priestley was a professional pilot until a serious crash at Kentucky Speedway in 2002 kept him out of the sport.

When the decision was made to keep it, Jean-Baptiste Neurac was “Surprised by the quick responseIndeed, Jason Priestley responded only 48 hours after receiving the film’s script.

It must be said that during the 24 hours of Le Mans, the Atlantic Ocean attracts. Jean-Baptiste Neurac also reminds us of this Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Patrick Dempsey and Michael Fassbender “Everyone came to Le Mans because there is a mythical and fantasy side that is very important.“

On Jason Priestley’s part, it was a real pleasure to make this film, but also “Playing in another language is a real challenge.Thus, the 53-year-old actor juggles between English and French in this thriller. There will be a little game between the two languages, in which the character played by Jason Priestley will try to make himself understood by throwing a few. Sentences in French Most of all, the character of Eleanor Bernheim will play the role of translator.

the purpose? that the film has no subtitles. Indeed, Jean-Baptiste Neyrac wanted to be “in the authenticity of a character who came to France and speaks with his own accent. It’s a big challenge, but the game is worth it.“.

Eleanor Bernheim, a fan of her playing partner

During our meeting with part of the film crew, the complicity and understanding of Jason Priestley and Eleanor Bernheim was evident. Moreover, the hero of death on the track still does not believe that he had the chance to play with one of the idols of his youth.

“I was watching Beverly Hills with my friends. When I missed an episode, I recorded it on my VCR (laughs)“He left us before he specified,”I agreed to be in this movie long before I knew Jason was going to be in it. I really wanted to work Philippe Dajou (Film editor’s note director). When he told me that Jason was going to be in the movie, I was like, ‘Wow!“. If he had told me at 14 that I would be playing with him one day, I would never have believed it. It was impossible.“.

And he might share four weeks of filming with her, Eleanor Bernheim still doesn’t realize it. “Once a day, for a second or two, I say to myself, “Damn, I’m playing him!“Then to end on a humorous note,”It will be difficult Nicholas Gobmy partner art of crime To continue (laughs)”.

Although the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on June 10 and 11, the film Mort sur la piste is due to air on Channel France before the end of the year.