Cinema: These 8 Frenchmen Are Making News in 2023 American Movies

Since 1975, France has celebrated American cinema on the boards of Deauville. Two cinematographic films that have since ceased to be united: in 1995, when the Grand Prix was created, awarded by the president of the French-speaking jury (Guillaume Canet this year).

Then, in 2020, COVID prompts Deauville to welcome several French films to its selection, further strengthening the cinematic ties between the two countries. What should only be an exception has now become an annual event, as The Prisoners, The Last Men and an icon of French cinema are part of this edition.

Not forgetting Camille Cotin, starring in Golda opposite Helen Mirren (not known for her role as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir) and who continues her wonderful career in English. An opportunity to return to these actors and actresses who have seen or expect to see him in American films in 2023.

NOÉMIE MERLANT – tar

Start the year for Noémie Merlant! Just weeks before she won the César for Best Supporting Actress for her hilarious performance in The Innocent, the actress hit back at awards show regular Cate Blanchett.

Fascinated by the portrait of a young girl on fire, like many filmmakers from around the world, Todd Field entrusted her with the role of Francesca, assistant to the conductor Lydia Tarr.

A supporting role where he shows discretion and nuance in his acting to help maintain the ambiguity between the two characters, greatly enhancing looks and unspoken words.

The first convincing experience that will not remain a dead letter: after Tar, Noemi Merlant has already shot a biographical film about Lee, the war photographer of the same name, opposite Marion Cotillard and Kate Winslet, as she explained to us recently. And we’ll find him in the murderous Miss Highsmith, about the famous novelist, alongside Shailene Woodley and Cara Delevingne.

DENIS MÉNOCHET – BEAU IS AFRAID

Unlike Noemi Merlant, Denis Menoche will still have to wait to win the César. But it is only a matter of time. Meanwhile, he offers himself a new experience in English, after Hannibal Lecter – Les Origines, Inglourious Basterds or Robin des Bois. Movies that almost look silly next to Beau are Afraid.

To say that Ari Astaire’s third feature film (Legacy, Midsommar) is unclassifiable is an understatement, as this odyssey of a man who wants to return home moves between genres (drama, comedy, horror and even animation) and tones. As a veteran stalking the family of a neighbor who died fighting alongside him, Denis Menochet takes an active part in all the madness.

When she captures the characters in the background outside the window, or when her trauma is expressed in screams and outbursts of violence. Until his last scene, which we won’t reveal here because it’s surprising. Just know that if you fall for a psychoanalyst, he’s going to have a great time.

Damien Bonnard – Asteroid City

If it’s hard to miss Denis Menochet in Beau is Afraid, you should be careful not to miss Damien Bonnard in Asteroid City, the latest film from Francophile Wes Anderson. Where we find French.

Less than in The French Dispatch, filmed in France, but the most observant will be able to see Stephane Buck and Pablo Paul in a scene with many characters.

and Damien Bonnard as a bodyguard for an actress played by Scarlett Johansson. character “Careful, silent, mute, alert and attentive to everything”As the main stakeholder himself says on his Instagram account. Absolutely confirms the impression of viewers who thought they recognized him, in the background, in several scenes.

Already seen as a French soldier in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, Damien Bonnard was to have another Anglo-Saxon film experience this year. But Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Creatures, in which he claims he has only one scene, has had its French release pushed back to January 2024.

Ethan Isidore – Indiana Jones 5

Speaking of delayed releases, Ethan Isidore knows a lot about that with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny having dutifully waited until after it finished filming. But it was worth it when media around the world discovered this enthusiastic young Frenchman on the steps of the Cannes Film Festival alongside Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Boyd Holbrook and James Mangold.

Previously seen in the Sam & Mortel series, Ethan Isidore portrays Ted, an employee of Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), reminiscent of the Temple of Doom crescent. “A smart kid who will help the hero in his quest”. A minor role, but more substantial than, say, Antonio Banderas in terms of story and screen time.

As soon as he meets Indiana Jones, Teddy does not leave the heroes completely. This allows his translator to shine in many adventures (including chases). And no doubt it opened a few doors in Hollywood.

POM KLEMENTIEFF – MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 7

Pom Klementieff already passed the stage of transatlantic revelation a few years ago. Now confirmed. With Guardians of the Galaxy, where his Mantis remains one of the most endearing characters of the bunch. And, above all, Mission: Impossible 7, as the French assassin called Paris, an ally of the great evil in history.

Beyond her features (and especially when she’s wearing white makeup under her eyes) Paris isn’t magical. But dangerous, ruthless, unpredictable, deadly…

A worthy successor to Goldeneye’s Ksenia Onatopy and her memorable henchmen from the James Bond saga. On screen as well as in the promo, the actor is having a blast in this adventure and it shows.

Is it enough to return for Episode 8, which is still slated for June 2024 when filming has been halted since the writers’ strike began?
Spoiler:
As long as Paris isn’t dead by the end of the movie, the possibility exists. As well as seeing her join the camp of Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) who saved her.

Just look at the shock duo formed by Pom Klementieff and Simon Pegg during the promotional tour.

Theo Christine – GRAN TURISMO

Like the cars in Neill Blomkamp’s eponymous video game adaptation, Theo Christine’s (Suprêmes’ JoeyStarr) appearance is swift. The actor portrays a certain Marcel Durand, and in the American film, behind this typical name of a Frenchman hides a hexagonal apprentice pilot, who has been chosen, perhaps, to become the new steel of Nissan.

As for Ian Mardenborough’s (Archie Madekewe) story, rather than his, we quickly suspect that he will not emerge victorious from the series of tests imposed on them. But not that Theo Christine will disappear from the screen so quickly after he was entitled to a small copy. In charge of revenge in another American film?

Camille Cotin – Mystery in Venice

There was Matt Damon (Stillwater). Lady Gaga and Adam Driver (House of Gucci). And George Clooney at the Nespresso Pub. Today it’s Kenneth Branagh’s turn to tap into Camille Cotin’s energy and make her one of the characters in his adaptation. “Pumpkin Festival” by Agatha Christie.

Alongside Jamie Dornan, Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Kelly Reilly and Kenneth Branagh himself, again as Hercule Poirot. She plays Olga Seminoff, the governess of Rowena Drake, an opera singer haunted by the memory of her dead daughter who arranges a spiritualism session with unexpected results to connect with her spirit.

With a more gruesome tone than Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, the film opens in theaters on September 13. After the Deauville festival, where Camille Cotin is illustrated in a different role in English: previewed thanks to the biopic Golda, dedicated to the former Prime Minister of Israel (played by Helen Mirren).

Tahar Rahim – Napoleon

Tahar Rahim, a Golden Globe nominee for Best Actor in a Drama thanks to The Accused, is not his first attempt at an English-language project.

Just as Ridley Scott often directed French actors, as of this article three others appear in his filmography (Camille Cotin, Léa Seydoux and Denis Menochet).

Which does absolutely nothing to detract from the prestige of seeing the actor in one of his big major projects later this year: a Napoleonic biopic from the director of Gladiator and The Last Duel. He portrays the politician Paul Barras (1755 – 1829).

By voting for the death of Louis XVI during the French Revolution, he participated in the transition to the Directory, of which he became one of the directors. But his resignation, on the morning of 18 Brumaire, supported the coup led by Napoleon Bonaparte. Therefore, his role may be secondary (but still important) in the plot played by Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby.

But you’ll have to wait until November 22nd to get your heart’s content, unless the release is delayed by the writers’ and actors’ strike. Tahar Rahim won’t be the only French actor in the cast, as Ludivine Sannier lends her qualities to Thérèse Cabarrus, a powerful woman and companion of Paul Barras, who notably rejected the favor of a young officer: Napoleon Bonaparte.

Note that Léa Seydoux should have been part of this list. But the release of Dune 2, in which she plays Lady Margot (an adaptation of the absent David Lynch), has been pushed back by Warner from November 2023 to March 2024.