Gaumont’s dystopian thriller “Ares” bows at Paris Comic Con

PanARMENIAN.Net - “Ares”, the post-apocalyptic thriller directed by Jean Patrick Benes and exec produced by Louis Leterrier (“Now You See Me”) bowed with a bang on Oct. 21 at Paris Comic Con, ahead of its premiere market screening at the AFM next month, Variety said.

Produced by Matthieu Tarot via his Paris outfit Albertine Productions, the stylized dystopian film stars an international cast led by Ola Rapace (“Valerian”), Micha Lescot (“Saint Laurent”) and Hélène Fillières (“Bastards”).

Described as a “French Blade Runner” by some local critics, “Ares” is set in 2035 and takes place in a France destroyed by the skyrocketing rate of unemployment which represents 10 million people.

The population, revolted or resigned, craves for ultra-violent televised fights where the fighters are ruthless and legally doped. The movie follows the journey of Reda, aka Ares, a veteran fighter who experiments a new drug to win his upcoming fights.

“Ares” marks the directorial debut of Benes, who is known for directing “Kabul Kitchen,” the Canal Plus’s hit French comedy series that’s set in Afghanistan.

Gaumont will release “Ares” in France on Nov.23. The French mini-major has already pre-sold the movie in key territories including China (Huahua), South Korea (Double & Joy), Japan (Kino Film), Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland (Tiberius), Italy (Lucky Red) and Scandinavia (Nonstop).

“Ares” had its world premiere at Sitges festival earlier this month.