To see at the cinema: Didier Bourdon In a funny true story, this adventure comedy is priceless!

Following the release of Building Permit (2022) and Le Clan in January 2023, Eric Fraticelli returns with his third comedy that smells of Corsica: Priceless. A feature film for which he reunites with Didier Bourdon, with whom he had already worked for Permis de construction, and Philippe Corti, whom he had already directed in two of his previous films.

Priceless is inspired by the true story of Felix Biancamaria, who in 1986 discovered a treasure valued at over ten million euros in a lava bay north of Ajaccio. The feature film is a free adaptation of Biancamaria’s work.Lava treasure, Roman gold rush among Corsican divers” Published in 2004 by Albin Michel.

A true story with great cinematic potential

A longtime friend of treasure discoverer, director and actor Eric Fraticelli explains in the press kit: “This is a free adaptation that deviates from the actual story. I just kept the starting point: three friends who find treasure. The rest of the film comes from my imagination. So there was no limit to the fiction I wrote and directed..”

It must be said that the two Corsicans have known each other for almost 20 years. When Felix Biancamaria told his story to Eric Fraticelli, the latter immediately saw the cinematic potential.

“He told me things very simply. He just said, ‘We were pigeons, we found gold coins, then we went to Paris, we learned the value of this treasure and we tried to sell everything. . . .’

I realized that they experienced something extraordinary, because the discovery of such a treasure of such priceless value is incredible and unique. There is something magical about discovering treasure. This is much more exciting than winning the lottery jackpot. Treasures are part of our childhood dreams, the stories we were told in books. When you find such a treasure, you imagine the story around it and your imagination runs wild.

All the comic elements combined to make it a comedy. I was fascinated by this story. Philippe Godot, the film’s producer, tried to make a film in Corsica that reflected the area. I told him about my project. He seduced her. For me, telling this story is about evoking Corsica and its attributes, both geographical and human, by evoking an adventurous imagination.“- he declares.

“Corsican humor is a quality that is often overlooked”

But the most important thing for the director was to turn his film into an adventure comedy to emphasize Corsican humor.

“I chose comedy to best convey the full potential of this story and this important part of the Corsican identity, which is in the special use of humor. Appropriate means to convey what the island of beauty is all about and the people who inhabit it. Through the genre of comics, we perceive Corsican society and its morals in a bright and stark way, always full of sincere love. I think he dares to use comedy to talk. About this area, where very few films have yet been seen, it is a beautiful testimony of what Corsica is today, and that is why I decided to transfer this story from the 80s to our time. It was important for me that the filming took place in St. Corsica to stay true to the reality of the story.“

The opinion of Felix Biancamaria, the real discoverer of the treasure

And the main stakeholder is delighted with the result. He confides: “At first I didn’t imagine that it could be a movie, but this adventure was so incredible that it was a logical continuation of its adaptation to the cinema. The fact that Eric wanted to make a comedy, it seemed to me that he was doing it. full meaning. Even in the tone of comedy, the story remains true to reality, which does not end like a fairy tale.” The latter also said on our microphone that he participated in the shooting of the film and he really enjoyed filming with the whole team.

On the big screen, he will be portrayed by Corsican actor Philippe Cort. Biancamaria appreciates the edgy side the actor was able to bring to the character. “I really enjoyed playing him! He’s more eccentric than me, which helped bring out the comic side of my character.”

An incredible true story that you must see in cinemas this Wednesday, November 1st.