EMILE ZOLA'S CLASSIC NOVEL NANA TO BE TURNED INTO A 19TH CENTURY SET MOVIE DRAMA

    ZOLA'S NANA   

TO BE TURNED INTO A MOVIE DRAMA

Olivier Dahan will direct the movie

Under the French Greek co-production, and with the support of France Télévision and Canal+, Emile Zola's classic novel NANA will be turned into a movie by director Olivier Dahan known for La Vie en Rose. The book tells the story of Nana Coupeau's rise from streetwalker to high-class cocotte during the last three years of the French Second Empire. She grows up in the slums of Paris and then has a brief career as an untalented actress before finding success as a courtesan. Although vulgar and ignorant, she has a destructive sexuality that attracts many rich and powerful men. Cruelly contemptuous of her lovers’ emotions, Nana wastes their fortunes, driving many of them to ruin and even suicide.

SEE VINCENT CASSEL IN NETFLIX HISTORICAL ADVENTURE THE HUNCHBACK, SOUL OF PARIS TRAILER

  HUNCHBACK, SOUL OF PARIS  

The film will stream this November

FIRST TRAILER WITH VINCENT CASSEL 

Netflix has sent us the first trailer from their new movie about the famous Hunchback of Notre Dame which has French superstar Vincent Cassel in the lead role. Titled previously as  QUASIMODO it will now be known as THE HUNCHBACK, SOUL OF PARIS directed by Jean-Francois Richet, it will be set in Paris on the eve of the July Revolution (1830), and will try to reimagine the life of the man said to have inspired Victor Hugo’s iconic character, Quasimodo. As the cholera epidemic spreads through the city, he’s caught between political turmoil and an impossible love. Benjamin Voisin plays the doctor who wants to hunt down the Hunchback, Daphne Patakia takes the female lead, while Karim Leklou is leading the relentless hunt through the plague-ridden streets of Paris during the 1830 July Revolution. The film will stream November 27th!

 

SEE CHARACTER POSTERS WITH VINCENT LINDON AND TAHAR RAHIM IN NEW FRENCH MOVIE ADAPTATION OF VICTOR HUGO'S LES MISERABLES

    LES MISERABLES   

New Les Miserables arrive this October

NEW MOVIE ADAPTATION  POSTERS

After the Musketeers and Count Monte Cristo another big screen novel adaptation in France will be LES MISE-  RABLES done this time by Studio canal and Fred Cavaye and we have brand new character posters for you today as the movie will be released in French theatres this month. Set against the backdrop of revolutionary uprisings in France, it follows the character of Jean Valjean, a peasant sentenced to five years’ hard labour for stealing a loaf of bread whose story spans several years as he is released from prison and reintegrated into society, yet pursued by a police inspector on his trail. Vincent Lindon plays Jean Valjean, with Tahar Rahim as his nemesis Inspector Javert. Benjamin Lavernhe and Camille Cottin are evil innkeepers Thénardier and Madame Thénardier. Noemie Merlant plays the tragic figure of Fantine, whose daughter, Cosette, Valjean takes in as his own.The movie is scheduled to arrive to the cinemas on October 14th 2026. Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think, would you watch it?

 

SEE FIRST IMAGES FROM VINCENT CASSEL STARRING NETFLIX HISTORICAL ADVENTURE THE HUNCHBACK, SOUL OF PARIS

  HUNCHBACK, SOUL OF PARIS  

FIRST VINCENT CASSEL MOVIE IMAGES

Netflix has sent us the first images from their new movie about the famous Hunchback of Notre Dame which has French superstar Vincent Cassel in the lead role. Titled previously as  QUASIMODO it will now be known as THE HUNCHBACK, SOUL OF PARIS directed by Jean-Francois Richet, it will be set in Paris on the eve of the July Revolution (1830), and will try to reimagine the life of the man said to have inspired Victor Hugo’s iconic character, Quasimodo. As the cholera epidemic spreads through the city, he’s caught between political turmoil and an impossible love. Benjamin Voisin plays the doctor who wants to hunt down the Hunchback, Daphne Patakia takes the female lead, while Karim Leklou is leading the relentless hunt through the plague-ridden streets of Paris during the 1830 July Revolution. The film will stream November 27th!

SEE VICTOR BELMONDO IN THE TRAILER FOR NEW 19TH CENTURY SET TV ADAPTATION OF THE RED AND THE BLACK

  THE RED AND THE BLACK 

PERIOD SET STENDHAL TV ADAPTATION

Already presented to the French audience earlier this summer is France Televisions' four episode period set TV series adaptation of 

The series in France this June

Stendhal's famous novel THE RED AND THE BLACK (Le rouge et le noir) set in 1828. We have the trailer and posters for the new series for you today.

 

WHAT IS THE STORY?

 The restored monarchy is faltering, a new revolution rumbling. In this troubled France, Julien Sorel (our gorgeous and sweet Victor Belmondo), poor son of a carpenter is ready to do anything to rise socially. Torn between the Red and the Black, between the military ambition and the ecclesiastical career, but also between two women that everything opposes, he will have to pay the price of his choices. Virginie Ledoyen, Camille Razat, Patrick Timsit also star. 

 

ARRIVING TO LE HAVRE! 

The historical series will be offered to the interested international distributors next week at the 32nd edition of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous TV content market in Le Havre! Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think, would you watch it?

 

SEE TRAILER FOR UNCHAINED 1806 REUNION ISLAND SET FRENCH HISTORICAL SERIES

   UNCHAINED TRAILER  

FOR NEW HISTORICAL  SERIES FROM FRANCE

I already mentioned this one to you when French historical series UNCHAINED  (Enchainés) competed earlier this year at Seriemania. 

The series aired in France in May

This six episode drama has the story set in Bourbon Island, 1806. A devastating cyclone leaves Charles Bellevue’s plantation in ruins. Bankrupt, he is forced to sell his lands, leaving his slaves in terror of being separated. Among them, Isaac refuses to accept his fate. He has just discovered that Charles Bellevue is not only his master: he is his father. Fueled by rage and an insatiable desire for freedom, Isaac persuades Charles to keep the plantation. Impressed by his resolve, Charles appoints him as overseer. Now, Isaac must balance his newfound power with his urge to protect his people. The brand new historical series was done for their national broadcaster France Television where it already aired back in May. Stay tuned as tomorrow I will have another French costume drama for you.

 

FIRST TRAILER WITH VINCENT LINDON AND TAHAR RAHIM IN NEW FRENCH MOVIE ADAPTATION OF VICTOR HUGO'S LES MISERABLES

    LES MISERABLES   

1ST TRAILER FOR MOVIE ADAPTATION 

After the Musketeers and Count Monte Cristo another big screen novel adaptation in France will be LES MISERABLES done this time by Studiocanal and Fred Cavaye and we have the first trailer today. Set against the backdrop of revolutionary

New Les Miserables arrive this October

 uprisings in France, it follows the character of Jean Valjean, a peasant sentenced to five years’ hard labour for stealing a loaf of bread whose story spans several years as he is released from prison and reintegrated into society, yet pursued by a police inspector on his trail. Vincent Lindon plays Jean Valjean, with Tahar Rahim as his nemesis Inspector Javert. Benjamin Lavernhe and Camille Cottin are evil innkeepers Thénardier and Madame Thénardier. Noemie Merlant plays the tragic figure of Fantine, whose daughter, Cosette, Valjean takes in as his own. It will arrive October 14th 2026.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW FRENCH PERIOD SET SERIES SUMMER OF 36 ARRIVING TO NETFLIX THIS JULY

    SUMMER OF 36 SERIES   

TO STREAM AT NETFLIX THIS SUMMER

Among a number of new period set shows that premiered earlier this spring at this year's Seriesmania was also French and Belgian six episode drama SUMMER OF '36 a historical thriller set in Nice, summer of 1936. The series already aired on their broadcasters and is currently available for streaming on Netflix in those two countries, Switzerland and South Africa, but will be also available, as far as I understood, to the rest of the world from July 1st at the streamer.

WHAT IS THE STORY OF THE SERIES?

 The elite are stunned as the first working-class vacationers arrive on the French Riviera, thanks to newly granted paid leave. In this clash of worlds, four women from different backgrounds find themselves entangled in a murder at the chic Hotel Riviera. A crime that will shatter their families, their romances, and their lives forever. You can check out the trailer below and tell us what you think will you be tuning in this July?

 

NEW ZORRO EPIC COMEDY ADVENTURE SERIES WITH JEAN DUJARDIN STARTS THIS JUNE ON MHZ CHOICE FOR VIEWERS IN USA

  NEW ZORRO SERIES 

PUTS JEAN DUJARDIN UNDER THE MASK

Zorro is out as of September 6th

This one already streamed in France two years ago but will be hitting MHZ Choice for the viewers in USA and Canada June 30th! The new version of ZORRO is a comedy adventure in which Oscar winner Jean Dujardin takes the lead role! 

 

  THE STORY IS SET IN 1821 

Don Diego de la Vega becomes mayor of his beloved city of Los Angeles, which he intends to make prosper. However, the municipality is facing financial problems due to the greed of a local businessman, Don Emmanuel, against whom the mayor's powers prove insufficient to fight injustice. Diego hasn't called on his double Zorro in 20 years. But in the name of the common good, he has no choice but to pull out his mask and sword. Diego soon finds it difficult to reconcile his dual identity as Zorro and mayor, and this puts a strain on his marriage to Gabriella, who is unaware of his secret. Can Diego save his marriage and his sanity in the midst of chaos? Salvatore Ficarra plays his mute sidekick Bernardo, with Audrey Dana as his wife Gabriella. The series was shot in Spain where epic sets were build to reconstruct a whole 19th century Californian town. Check out the fun trailer for the new series below:

 

SEE VIRGINIE EFIRA, VINCENT CASSEL, ISABELLE HUPPERT, CATHERINE DENEUVE, PIERRE NINEY, ADAM BESSA IN PARALLEL TALES MOVIE TRAILER

    PARALLEL TALES   

SEE TRAILER FOR NEW FRENCH MOVIE

Parallel Tales are out in French cinemas

While our favourite French and Belgian actress Virginie Efira is over at Cannes Film Festival this week, we shall take a peak at her new movie drama PARALLEL TALES (Histoires paralleles) from director Asghar Farhad which has started playing in French cinemas as of this week. The star studded cast also includes Vincent Cassel, Pierre Niney, Isabelle Huppert, Catherine Deneuve and Adam Bessa. In search of inspiration for her new novel, Sylvie spies on her neighbors across the street. When she hires young Adam to help her with her daily routine, she has no idea that he will turn her life and her work upside down, until the fiction she had imagined surpasses the reality of them all.

 

NETFLIX AND TF1 TO TURN KEN FOLLETT'S BOOK JACKDAWS INTO NEW WORLD WAR 2 SET TV SERIES WITH LAETITIA CASTA

     JACKDAWS   

TO BECOME WW2 TV SERIES AT NETFLIX

Netflix is teaming up with French broadcaster TF1 on a six episode TV series adaptation of Ken Follett's war drama JACKDAWS (Le reseau

Jackdaws will have six episodes

 corneille)! Set in May 1944, just days before the D-Day landings, it tells the story of Elisabeth “Betty” Clairet (Laetitia Casta), a widowed mother who is tasked with assembling an unlikely commando of five civilian women to carry out a near-impossible mission: infiltrate an impenetrable château housing a key German communications hub and destroy it before the Normandy landings by the Allies. With only a week to prepare, the women must cross occupied territory, assume false identities and infiltrate the heavily guarded fortress by posing as cleaning staff to sabotage the underground communications network. Mathilde Seigner, Lina El Arabi and Michaël Youn round up the lead cast.

SHARKS ARE BACK IN THE SEINE IN UNDER PARIS 2 NETFLIX MOVIE SEQUEL POSTER

   UNDER PARIS 2  

THE SHARKS ARE BACK IN THE SEINE

Alexandre Aja  directs the movie sequel

After some nasty sharks have infested the waters of the Seine in the first movie two years ago making the capital of France not so romantic, shooting has commenced on the sequel UNDER PARIS 2 (Sous la Seine 2) which is set to hit Netflix sometime in 2027 and we have the stunning first poster to prove it. Berenice Bejo and Guillaume Gouix together with Nassim Lyes return to the cast. The film follows marine scientist Sophia and river police commander Adil who reunite on a high-risk mission to track down Lilith, the original predator, in the shark-infested Seine when central Paris becomes submerged.

PARIS POLICE 1910 THE THIRD SEASON OF THE POPULAR PERIOD SET SERIES TO RETURN THIS APRIL

    PARIS POLICE 1910  

PERIOD SET SERIES SEASON THREE

The third season of the popular series that saw first season Paris Police 1900 out in 2021 and then Paris Police 1905 out in 2022 will arrive titled PARIS POLICE 1910 this year after the premiere at Canneseries festival. Jérémie Laheurte is back as Antoine Jouin. The story will be set in 31 May 1908. Marguerite “Meg” Steinheil (Evelyne Brochu) is found tied up in her bed; her husband and her own mother are dead, murdered in the next room. This sensitive case, involving the famous “Pompe Funèbre”, is assigned to Inspector Jouin. The investigation moves swiftly, and Meg soon goes from being a victim to the prime suspect; Fiersi (Thibaut Evrard) and Prefect Lépine (Marc Barbé) himself are said to be implicated. Cornered, Meg calls a press conference: she is ready to tell “the whole truth”… But what truth? The six part season arrives to Canal+ this April.

FIRST IMAGES WITH VICTOR BELMONDO FROM NEW 19TH CENTURY SET TV ADAPTATION OF THE RED AND THE BLACK

  THE RED AND THE BLACK 

PERIOD SET STENDHAL TV ADAPTATION

To be presented at Canneseries this year is France Televisions' four episode period set TV series adaptation of Stendhal's famous novel THE RED AND THE BLACK (Le rouge et le noir) set in 1828. The restored monarchy is faltering, a new revolution rumbling. In this troubled France, Julien Sorel (our gorgeous and sweet Victor Belmondo), poor son of a carpenter is ready to do anything to rise socially. Torn between the Red and the Black, between the military ambition and the ecclesiastical career, but also between two women that everything opposes, he will have to pay the price of his choices. Virginie Ledoyen, Camille Razat, Patrick Timsit also star. Hope we get more images and possibly a trailer for the new historical television series soon. Stay tuned as we will be following this one closely in the upcoming period.

SERIESMANIA 2026 PERIOD SET SERIES: SUMMER OF '36, UNCHAINED AND ALICE FROM THE 19TH CENTURY SLAVERY AND HOTEL RIVIERA TO CINEMA PIONEERS

  SERIESMANIA 2026 OFFER  

SUMMER OF '36 FROM FRANCE

There is a number of new period set shows that will premiere or be offered to the buyers at this year's Seriesmania at the end of this month and your spy is presenting them to you today, starting with French and Belgian six episode drama SUMMER OF '36 a historical thriller set in Nice, summer of 1936. The elite are stunned as the first working-class vacationers arrive on the French Riviera, thanks to newly granted paid leave. In this clash of worlds, four women from different backgrounds find themselves entangled in a murder at the chic Hotel Riviera. A crime that will shatter their families, their romances, and their lives forever. The series is done for national broadcasters of the two countries, but I hear it will also stream on Netflix.

 

UNCHAINED FROM FRANCE

I already presented you with this one before, but French historical series UNCHAINED will also compete at Seriemania this year. This six episode drama has the story set in Bourbon Island, 1806. A devastating cyclone leaves Charles Bellevue’s plantation in ruins. Bankrupt, he is forced to sell his lands, leaving his slaves in terror of being separated. Among them, Isaac refuses to accept his fate. He has just discovered that Charles Bellevue is not only his master: he is his father. The brand new historical series was done for their national broadcaster France Television. 

 

ALICE FROM FRANCE AND CANADA

A co production between France, Belgium and Canada is six part series ALICE with Berenice Bejo. From France to the U.S., the incredible journey of Alice Guy, a pioneer and the first female fiction filmmaker in cinema history. The series explores the extraordinary life of Alice Guy, a woman who was an artist, entrepreneur, wife and mother. It delves into her struggles, her thwarted loves, and her quest for freedom and recognition.