The French Connection is one of the best films of any genre ever made – but it only tell the story from our North American point of view.
What was going on in France during he same period of time? Cédric Jimenez’s new film The Connection tackles that story.
Oscar®-winning actor Jean Dujardin (The Artist) stars as Marseilles magistrate Pierre Michel, a relentless crusader to end The French Connection.
Check out the first trailer for The Connection after the jump. The Connection will be in select theaters on May 15th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx41FbyvSMw
Directed and co-written by Cédric Jimenez, THE CONNECTION was entirely shot on 35 mm and is the European flipside to William Friedkin’s The French Connection. A stylish, 70’s-period crime thriller inspired by true events, it tells the story of real-life Marseilles magistrate Pierre Michel (Jean Dujardin) and his relentless crusade to dismantle the most notorious drug smuggling operation in history: the French Connection. In his crosshairs is charismatic and wealthy kingpin, Gatean “Tany” Zampa (Gilles Lellouche), who runs the largest underground heroin trade into the States. Though the fearless and tenacious Michel, aided by a task force of elite cops, will stop at nothing–including boldly orchestrated drug raids, devastating arrests, and exacting interrogations–to ensure the crime ring’s demise, Zampa’s “La French” always seems one step ahead. As La French mounts its retaliation, Michel will be forced to make the most difficult decision of his life: to continue waging his war, or ensure his family’s safety, before it’s too late.
THE CONNECTION is director and co-writer Cédric Jimenez’ second feature film following Aux Yeux de Tous. A native of Marseilles, a city long known for its drug trafficking activities, Jimenez brings a keen knowledge of the place to his latest film.
Directed by Cédric Jimenez. Written by Audrey Diwan and Cédric Jimenez. Cinematography by Laurent Tangy. Art direction by Patrick Schmitt. A Drafthouse Film release.