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Reformed, originally titled Le Sens des Choses, is a French-language drama series that premiered on HBO Max and has quickly caught attention for its fresh take on religion, identity, and tradition. Set in Strasbourg, France, the show follows Léa Schmoll—a newly ordained, young, and modern female rabbi—as she leads a diverse Jewish community through the moral, spiritual, and cultural dilemmas of today. Starring Elsa Guedj and inspired by the real-life journey of Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur, one of France’s few female rabbis, Reformed is a rare blend of realism and introspection, built around quiet moments, complicated decisions, and unspoken tensions.

In this article, we’ll explore the plot, characters, thematic focus, and real-life inspiration behind the series, as well as why HBO Max chose to tell this story at this moment in time.

Plot Overview:

At the heart of Reformed is Léa Schmoll, a 30-year-old rabbi navigating both...

Vincent Cassel stars in Netflix’s new production that blends comedy, thriller, and electronic music. This combination might sound like a recipe for absurdity, yet the film is surprisingly entertaining and well-controlled.

“Banger” owes much of its appeal to its star, Vincent Cassel, who brings the protagonist to life with grace, talent, and a healthy dose of irony. The film is entertaining, funny, and has that touch of quirky French comedy.

Banger – Netflix

Plot Overview

The plot of “Banger” revolves around Scorpex, a DJ who once reached the heights of electronic music fame, but whose star has since faded. In a twist of fate, a Dgsi agent, played by Laura Felpin, approaches Scorpex with an unusual proposition. She offers him a chance to revive his career by undertaking a clandestine mission: infiltrating the contemporary electronic music scene and dismantling the burgeoning success of Vestax, his younger and more popular rival,...

Netflix’s Shafted (originally Super Males) explores the comedy of masculinity in crisis. Following four middle-aged friends—Cédric, Tom, Jérémie, and Tonio—the series examines their challenges with relationships, career setbacks, and changing gender roles in contemporary Paris. Each man, in his own way, feels disconnected from the current world, leading them to a court-mandated masculinity workshop meant to challenge their outdated attitudes.

The show’s concept intrigues—men compelled to face their worst impulses in an environment created to disassemble them. Cédric, a self-proclaimed dominant male, resents his female colleague’s promotion. Tom clings to his divorce like a trophy. Jérémie’s sense of masculinity wobbles under erectile dysfunction, while Tonio, a serial cheater, recoils when his girlfriend suggests an open relationship.

The humor shifts between cutting and exaggerated, occasionally delivering pointed social observations but frequently relying on physical comedy. The setup implies an exploration of gender dynamics, yet Shafted remains hesitant.

After slowly returning to production in the wake of a restructuring, EuropaCorp, the company founded by “The Professional” director Luc Besson, is now fully back in action with several French and international films in the pipeline. These include the Snoop Dogg sci-fi movie “The Last Man,” and “Disorder,” a thriller starring Dylan Sprayberry (Teen Wolf”) and Thalia Besson who plays Geneviève in “Emily in Paris” season 4.

The banner, which is best known for its high voltage franchise movies such as “Taken,” “The Transporter” and the Scarlett Johansson movie “Lucy,” is also about to ramp up its output in the scripted TV space. EuropaCorp is nearing a deal with a Federation Studios label to team on the development and production of series based on its best known IP’s, Variety has learned. Although a “Lucy” spin-off was previously in development, it’s not believed to be part of the franchises that...

Netflix has unveiled an untitled French-language thriller starring Vincent Cassel as a jaded DJ alongside a cast also featuring YouTube star and rapper Mister V and music producer Kavinsky, best known for the Drive track Nightcall.

It is the first feature from French graphic designer, animator, director and music producer Bertrand Lagros de Langeron, who is known professionally as So Me.

Cassel plays Scorpex, a once-famous DJ on the downslide, who has not come to terms with the fact that his glory days are over.

When Rose (Laura Felpin), an eccentric agent from French Intelligence Agency offers him the opportunity to take down popular rival Vestax (Mister V), he sees it as a chance to revive his career with a bang.

Further cast members include Alexis Manenti, Déborah Lukumuena, Nina Zem, Nicolas Maury, Philippe Katerine, Paul Mirabel, Panayotis Pascot, Manu Payet and Alice Moitié.

The feature is produced by the...

Vincent Cassel plays an aging Edm DJ in the upcoming comedy thriller from French music video director So Me, aka Bertrand de Langeron. Artistic director of the Ed Banger label and known for his music videos for Justice, Kanye West, Mgmt, and Kid Cudi, So Me is making his feature film debut with the still-untilted French feature for Netflix.

Black Swan and Ocean’s Thirteen star Cassel plays Scorpex, a once-famous DJ now on the downside who gets a chance to return to the top when an agent from French intelligence agency Dgsi (played by Golden Mustache actress Laura Felpin) recruits him to take down Vestax (French YouTuber Mister V), his young and fast-rising rival on the Edm scene. Co-stars include Alexis Manenti, Déborah Lukumuena, Nina Zem, Nicolas Maury, Philippe Katerine, Kavinsky, Paul Mirabel, Panayotis Pascot, Manu Payet and Alice Moitié.

Netflix released the first image from the film (above), showing Cassel,...

Film lovers roll up. Here’s our annual list of movies that could have festivals drooling in 2021.

In the age of Covid-19, could has never felt more operative. With Sundance and Berlin reimagining their events next year, traditional festival paths are already diminishing, but here’s to hoping that the pandemic eases, and we get to see at least some of these anticipated movies in theaters and at marquee film events in the next 12 months. There is a bumper crop to choose from with so many having been held back or delayed from 2020.

The Power Of The Dog

Could Jane Campion, the first woman to ever win the Palme d’Or, be back in Cannes this year with her new drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst and Thomasin McKenzie? That will of course depend on whether Netflix and the French fest can bury the hatchet on their disagreement...

At the start of April, SXSW and Amazon announced that films from this year’s canceled SXSW would stream for free on Prime Video, giving some filmmakers the opportunity to get their projects seen by Us audiences after the Covid-19 pandemic nixed plans for the annual festival, and now the full lineup has been confirmed.

Only a small section of filmmakers who were set to debut their titles at SXSW have taken Amazon up on its streaming offer, but 39 projects will be available to watch from April 27 to May 6.

“This is really an unprecedented time. People are waiting for the new normal. And others are waiting for the return to normal,” SXSW director of film Janet Pierson remarked to THR. “We’re just trying to make best of a complicated situation. And this was a concrete and exciting offer from Amazon to give a wider swath of filmmakers an opportunity...

The 2020 SXSW Film Film Festival has set its virtual selection and screening dates on Amazon, garnering almost 40 shorts, features and episodic programs to participate in the digital workaround to coronavirus shutdowns.

The virtual festival will stream from April 27 through May 6, in front of the Amazon Prime paywall, meaning any user with an Amazon account can access the content.

“SXSW has always championed creators forging their own paths to success, often with just the right mix of passion, vision and radical experimentation to make their dreams happen,” said Janet Pierson, SXSW director of film. “There is no one-size-fits-all, especially in these uncertain times, and we knew this opportunity would be of interest to those filmmakers who wanted to be in front of a large audience now. ”

SXSW was cancelled by local government officials just a week before it was set to go up in Austin, Texas in March. Amazon stepped in...

Amazon Prime Video and SXSW have set a 39-film launch on April 27-May 6 for Prime Video presents the SXSW 2020 Film Festival Collection. That is the virtual version of the Austin-Texas festival that got canceled in the pandemic. As Deadline reported, filmmakers accepted to SXSW were given the option to have their films play in this online film festival, and have their films viewable free to anyone who has a free Amazon account.

“SXSW has always championed creators forging their own paths to success, often with just the right mix of passion, vision and radical experimentation to make their dreams happen,” said Janet Pierson, Director of Film, SXSW. “There is no one-size-fits-all, especially in these uncertain times, and we knew this opportunity would be of interest to those filmmakers who wanted to be in front of a large audience now. We believe people will be captivated by this selection of intriguing...

Streaming giant officially announces collaborations with Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Fanny Herrero and Julien Leclercq.

Steaming giant Netflix officially opened its new French headquarters in Paris on Friday in a move that Netflix chairman and CEO Reed Hastings said signalled a long-term commitment to the country.

Hastings, who flew into Paris to celebrate the official launch, said the new French office would enable Netflix ”to work even more closely with the French creative community on great shows and films that are made in France and watched all around the world.”

Some 40 staff are due to be based at the new French offices...

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings today officially opened Netflix’s vast new French headquarters in the center of Paris.

Currently home to 40 employees in film, TV and marketing, and with ample space for at least 100 more, the shiny new space is a major sign of intent for the streamer in one of Europe’s most important – and heavily regulated – markets.

Netflix announced today that it will significantly increase investment in France, with 20 new French productions, and partnerships with leading French creative institutions.

The streamer’s French content executives today unveiled a handful of original shows as well as a range of series and films made by production partners for the streamer. They include:

BigBug, the new film by César Award winner Jean-Pierre Jeunet, based on a script written by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant — a comedy set in the future with a cast including César Award winner Elsa Zylberstein, César Award nominee Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet.

Netflix continued to make strides in its European expansion on Thursday, unveiling a swanky multi-floor Paris office and announcing 20 new French shows and movies in the pipeline.

Located in the heart of the city and staffed with 40 employees, Netflix’s office launch attracted French industry figures, including producers and filmmakers working with or looking to work with Netflix.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who was on hand at the event, said the service will be stepping up its investment locally and will target high-profile talent in 2020. New titles include the film “Big Bug,” directed by “Amelie” director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Penned by Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant, “Big Bug” is a comedy set in the future starring Elsa Zylberstein, Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet.

Jeunet participated in the first roundtable organised for the event, along with the directors Julien Leclercq and Leïla Sy, as well as rapper-turned-actor Kery James, and Sara May, director...

Netflix kicked off 2020 with a bang in Paris on Friday, as CEO Reed Hastings opened the company's new French headquarters and unveiled a slate of original French TV series and films.

Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet will make Big Bug, his long-in-development “science fiction comedy with robots,” for Netflix. The project had been turned down by most of France's major studios, who didn't see its commercial potential. Elsa Zylberstein, Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet will star.

Other French projects announced Friday include a six-part series from Call My Agent! writer Fanny Herrero about four young comedians trying to ...

Netflix kicked off 2020 with a bang in Paris on Friday, as CEO Reed Hastings opened the company's new French headquarters and unveiled a slate of original French TV series and films.

Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet will make Big Bug, his long-in-development “science fiction comedy with robots,” for Netflix. The project had been turned down by most of France's major studios, who didn't see its commercial potential. Elsa Zylberstein, Isabelle Nanty and Manu Payet will star.

Other French projects announced Friday include a six-part series from Call My Agent! writer Fanny Herrero about four young comedians trying to ...

WTFilms, the sales company behind Quentin Dupieux’s Jean Dujardin-starrer “Deerskin,” which is opening Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, has boarded “Escobar by Escobar,” a documentary series about drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Pascal Richter will direct the four-part series, which is based on “Pablo Escobar: My Father” by Juan Pablo Escobar, who reflects on his father’s legacy. He became the man to kill when his father died in 1993, and spent his life looking over his shoulder after inheriting $30 billion.

“There have been countless films about Pablo Escobar, but with this documentary series we’re tackling an angle which has rarely been dealt with, shedding light on the aftermath of Escobar’s death and the consequences on the lives of his close ones,” said WTFilms co-founder Dimitri Stephanides.

Victor Robert, a well-seasoned French TV host and journalist, is producing the documentary series through his Paris-based company 10.7 Production and optioned the book.

Carole Lambert’s recently launched Windy Prods., which has the Marion Cotillard-starrer “Angel Face” playing in Un Certain Regard, is set to produce Joséphine Derobe’s fantasy feature “Vv,” Eric Capitaine’s “Les bonnes actions” and Manuel Schapira’s “Tropique de la violence.”

Derobe’s “Vv” follows Anna, a woman who wakes up in a hospital room after surviving a deadly car accident. Although she tries to remain optimistic, her return to normal life turns nightmarish as she undergoes rehabilitation therapy using virtual reality. The movie will mark the feature debut of Derobe, who is a well-known French 3D and Vr artist.

Shapira’s “Tropique de la Violence” is co-written with French novelist Delphine de Vigan, whose “Based on a True Story” was adapted into a film by Roman Polanski.

“Tropique” centers on Moïse, a boy who was abandoned at birth and adopted by a nurse in Mayotte who...

120 Bpm took home Best Film at the Cesars along with a clutch of other awards With only a couple of days to go before the Oscars (look out for our live blog on Sunday) France’s César ceremony at the Salle Pleyel in Paris last night (March 2) gave the ultimate accolade of best film (as expected) to Robin Campillo’s 120 Bpm (Beats Per Minute), which also nabbed five other awards including best male newcomer for Argentinian actor Nahuel Pérez Biscayart and another acting prize for best supporting actor for Antoine Reinartz.

Campillo took the opportunity to underline the the themes of the film about Aids activists in Paris in the early 1990s by suggesting that people need to remain vigilant and vocal in the face of repressive laws and legislation.

The other big winner of the evening, presided over by Vanessa Paradis and comedian Manu Payet, was Albert Dupontel’s...

Other leading contenders include See You You There, Barbara and Bloody Milk.

Source: Cannes

‘Bpm (Beats Per Minute)’

Robin Campillo’s Aids activism drama Bpm (Beats Per Minute) leads nominations in France’s 2018 César awards which were announced in Paris on Wednesday morning (Jan 31).

Scroll down for the key nominations

The feature drama took 13 nominations including best film, best director and best screenplay and best male newcomer for its co-stars Nahuel Pérez Biscayart and Arnaud Valois.

France’s Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences unveiled the nominations at its traditional news conference at the Le Fouquet’s restaurant on the Champs-Elysées.

The popularity of Campillo’s film among the academy’s members came as little surprise. Although ignored by Oscar and Golden Globe, the Cannes Grand Prix winner has been a critical and box office success in France where the film has drawn more than 800,000 spectators for Memento Distribution.

It also leads the nominations in the upcoming...

Vanessa Paradis … tribute to Jeanne Moreau at the Césars Photo: Canal +

The 43rd edition of the Césars (the French Oscars) will have as its president the singer and actress Vanessa Paradis.

Vanessa Paradis … president of the Césars Photo: Richard Mowe

The ceremony on 2 March will be dedicated to the late Jeanne Moreau who will also feature on the poster for the occasion. Moreau died in July at the age of 89.

Paradis, who received a best female newcomer César at the age of 17 in the 15th edition for Jean-Claude Brisseau’s Noche Blanche, performed on stage at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival the celebrated Tourbillon de la vie number from Jules Et Jim in which she was joined by Moreau herself.

The actress will be seen shortly in Chien by Samuel Benchetrit, Le Grand Bain / The Deep End by Gilles Lellouche; Big Bang by Céclilia Rouad and Un Couteau Dans Le Coeur by Yann Gonzalez.

Exclusive: After The Crucifixion, Cold Skin to delve into world of stag parties.

French genre director Xavier Gens, best known for horror pics like Hostile or thriller Hitman, has boarded his first comedy Budapest, based on the true story of two college friends who set up a stag party agency to escape the corporate rat race.

Manu Payet and Jonathan Cohen play the two entrepreneurs who start organising special stag party breaks to Budapest and other eastern European cities, promising to fulfil their clients’ wildest dreams.

The money starts rolling in but their lives start to unravel as the requests get more and more outlandish to the point that one party puts in a deadly request.

“My decision to try my hand was driven by the script. I could myself shooting it and it made a break after shooting two genre films back-to-back,” said Gens, referring to The Crucifixion and Cold Skin. “I also wanted...

Relationship Status: It's Complicated isn't awful, as its sorry Facebook-referencing title would indicate. But this feather-brained French farce also isn't the honest, bracing look at the temptations of infidelity that it could have been. It's as slight as its diminutive star (Manu Payet, who also co-directed with Rodolphe Lauga and co-wrote with Romain Lévy and Nicolas Peufaillit). Ben (Payet) never got over his high school crush, American transfer student Vanessa (Emmanuelle Chriqui). Being engaged to the beautiful, level-headed Juliette (Anaïs Demoustier) doesn't shake this struggling videographer out of his gloom. Upon hearing that Vanessa has returned to Paris to launch a restaurant, he agrees to shoot a promotional video for the grand opening....

In Europe, the comic-strip adventures of a boy named Boule and his cocker spaniel, Bill, created by Belgian artist Jean Roba, have been beloved for over half a century, but this French-language, live-action movie version offers few clues to the duo's lasting appeal.

Set in 1976, the film (whose title has been tweaked for the U.S. market) begins with Bill (voiced by Manu Payet) offering wry commentary on the odd array of humans stepping before his cage at the dog shelter. "He looks sweet," Bill thinks when he sees eight-year-old Boule (Charles Crombez).

Moments later, Boule is being propelled at top speed on his skateboard by a newly adopted, wildly excited Bill. Despite a few manic comic episodes, writer-directors Alexandre Charlot and Franck Magnier never again capture ...

Day 2 and the star-power at this year's festival has gone up a notch, thanks to the arrival of a certain Angelina Jolie.

The voice of Tigress, Jolie joined her fellow actors Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman and Manu Payet, at the 'Kung Fu Panda 2' photocall at the Carlton Hotel.

In 'Kung Fu Panda 2', Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five. But Po's new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. He must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will Po be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.

French comedians Gad Elmaleh and Manu Payet have joined the cast of Woody Allen.s romantic comedy "Midnight in Paris."According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is currently shooting on location in Paris.The all-star cast includes Adrien Brody, Rachel McAdams, Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Elsa Pataky, Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.The film focuses on a family traveling to Paris for business, including a young engaged couple whose lives are changed throughout the journey.Elmaleh recently starred in Francis Veber's "The Valet," opposite Audrey Tautou in "Priceless" and Roselyne Bosch's Holocaust drama "The Round-Up" opposite Jean Reno and Melanie Laurent. Payet recently starred in Elmaleh's film "Coco."...

Gad Elmaleh and Manu Payet join Woody Allens Midnight in Paris Gallic comedians Gad Elmaleh and Manu Payet have boarded Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris and will star opposite Marion Cotillard and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in the France-based film currently shooting in Paris, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film centers on an American family who head to the French capital on business.

Midnight in Paris comes to theaters in 2011 and stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Kathy Bates, Nina Arianda, Tom Hiddleston. The film is directed by Woody Allen.

Moneyball

"Parks and Recreation" star Chris Pratt has joined the cast of Bennett Miller's baseball-themed "Moneyball" which begins shooting next week in Los Angeles says Risky Biz.

Pratt plays Scott Hatteberg, the late 90's backup catcher for the Red Sox whose career was stalled by elbow surgery.

Guns, Girls and Gambling

Chris Kattan ("Undercover Brother") and Helena Mattsson ("Surrogates") have joined the cast of Michael Winnick's indie crime thriller "Guns, Girls and Gambling" for Freefall Films reports Heat Vision.

The story involves the race for a priceless Hopi warrior mask stolen during a poker game at an Indian casino. Christian Slater, Gary Oldman, Dane Cook and Megan Park also star.

Kattan plays Gay Elvis, one of a slew of Presley impersonators. Mattsson will play a tall, blond female assassin.

Midnight in Paris

French comedians Gad Elmaleh ("The Valet," "Priceless") and Manu Payet ("Coco") have joined the cast of...

Paris -- Marion Cotillard and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy won't be the only Frenchies spending "Midnight in Paris" with Woody Allen with Gallic comedians Gad Elmaleh and Manu Payet tapped for the prolific director's France-based film currently shooting in Paris.

Both will have only small roles, with Elmaleh shooting for three days and Payet for just one. Elmaleh has recently starred in Francis Veber's "The Valet," opposite Audrey Tautou in "Priceless" and more recently Roselyne Bosch's Holocaust drama "The Round-Up" opposite Jean Reno and "Inglourious Basterds" star Melanie Laurent.

Payet, a well-known funnyman on French small and big screens, recently starred in Elmaleh's film "Coco."

The Gallic cast will break bread and fromage with the already-announced all-star cast that includes Adrien Brody, Rachel McAdams, Owen Wilson, Kathy Bates, Elsa Pataky and Michael Sheen in the story about an American family who head to the French capital on business.

The pressure...