‘The Count of Monte-Cristo’ Producer Dimitri Rassam Launches Financial-Distribution Powerhouse Yapluka With Backing From Pathe, M6, CMA Media (EXCLUSIVE)

by

As a long-time admirer of French cinema and its dynamic producers, I find myself deeply inspired by Dimitri Rassam‘s latest endeavor, Yapluka. Having grown up watching his father Jean-Pierre Rassam’s productions and following Carole Bouquet’s illustrious career, it’s fascinating to see the younger Rassam carving out his own niche in the industry.

Following the successive triumphs of “The Count of Monte-Cristo,” enterprising French producer Dimitri Rassam is now unveiling Yapluka, a formidable European financing and distribution conglomerate. This new venture boasts the support of influential figures from the French entertainment industry, including Pathé, M6, and Rodolphe Saadé’s CMA Media.

Recently, Rassam, who runs Chapter 2, a company under Mediawan’s ownership, collaborated with Pathé on the big-screen adaptations of Alexandre Dumas’ literary masterpieces. The most successful among these is “The Count of Monte Cristo,” which has done exceptionally well at French box offices this year, earning over $75 million internationally before its U.S. release, and also the two-part adventure series “The Three Musketeers.

Using these films, Rassam, who has a deep love for history, successfully managed to create an unusual occurrence by captivating mainstream audiences, particularly young adults, toward costume movies filmed in French. “The Count of Monte-Cristo” has been running for 24 weeks in French theaters and has sold over 9.3 million tickets, making it a remarkable achievement in recent times for a domestic film that isn’t a French comedy. It holds the highest box office success for a local movie in recent history.

The quiet-mannered filmmaker, born to renowned actress Carole Bouquet and influential producer Jean-Pierre Rassam, is now setting his sights on larger global productions. Moreover, he intends to foster the growth of upcoming filmmakers and producers who align with his ambition to create a robust and ambitious European cinematic collective.

In Yapluka’s initial venture, they are embarking on a grand cinematic production titled “The Iron King.” This movie is an expansive epic that forms part of Maurice Druon’s series Les Rois Maudits (“The Accursed Kings”), which has been likened to “Game of Thrones.” Notably, this will be the first foray into English language cinema for Alexandre de la Patellière and Matthieu Delaport, renowned for their work on “The Count of Monte-Cristo.

Rassam announced that we will collaborate on a new movie series, involving Chapter 2, Fargo Films, and Pathé Films, which is based on a book series I’ve longed to bring to the cinema since my teenage years – about three decades ago. Notably, this series by Druon served as an inspiration for George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones.” Production for the first installment, “The Iron King,” is planned to begin in 2026.

Rassam, with strong connections in both the U.S. and France, has successfully drawn some prominent European private investment firms (details to be disclosed at a future date) to invest in Yapluka. Operations for this venture will commence immediately. Additionally, Patrick Wachsberger, an Oscar-winning producer of “CODA” and a highly respected figure in international film sales, has accepted a position on the advisory board of Yapluka. He previously held a leading role at Lionsgate.

According to Rassam, he intends to create ‘Yapluka’ as a refuge for ambitious movie creators. Having been a producer for two decades, he desired to establish a firm capable of supporting major European film projects for the global marketplace.

Yapluka, named as a playful twist on a French phrase that roughly translates to “let’s jump in,” specializes in funding films with budgets ranging from $20 million to $80 million. These productions have the capability of appealing to both European and global audiences. The company aims to finance approximately three to four movies annually.

Rassam expressed that he’s drawn inspiration from Legendary Entertainment’s model and ideology. He aims to collaborate with both creative talents and production studios, serving as a link between innovative thinkers and the necessary financial and distribution power they might require.

As a movie enthusiast speaking about my next chapter, I’m excited to carry on producing movies through Chapter 2, but I felt it was high time to level up my involvement by diving into financing and distribution. Leveraging the two decades of experience and connections forged as an independent producer across diverse formats like comedies, historical epics, animation, and auteur films, I aim to scale up my activities significantly. I’m a firm believer in bringing together exceptional talent, and Yapluka presents the perfect platform to do just that. There’s a wealth of untapped talents out there, and I can’t wait to collaborate with them!

Regarding their forthcoming English rendition, Patellière and Delaporte expressed that they’ve harbored a longstanding desire to bring to life “The Accursed Kings,” the renowned series penned by Maurice Druon.

This project, with its sweeping narrative that has spellbound countless people over time, presents a distinctive artistic test for us. We feel privileged to transform it into a cinematic experience. The initial installment, titled ‘The Iron King,’ serves as the backbone for this expansive drama. Our goal is to craft an indelible adventure as we guide you through the intricate web of power, affection, and deceit.

Ardavan Safae, head of Pathé Films, expressed excitement about joining Dimitri Rassam’s latest project, YAPLUKA. For quite some time, Pathé has worked closely with Dimitri, collaborating on and releasing several of his notable films like “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte-Cristo.

In our partnership, we rely on mutual trust and a joint dedication to superior quality, spanning from conceptualization to worldwide dissemination. YAPLUKA offers an enticing chance to bridge an industry void, backing daring, top-notch ventures that viewers eagerly seek.

The executive expressed great enthusiasm about carrying on their adventure with Dimitri, starting with Les Rois Maudits, helmed by the exceptionally gifted duo Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, and many more remarkable ventures in the future.

Thierry Desmichelle, CEO of SND and M6 Films (the film division of France’s second largest commercial broadcasting network), has been backing Dimitri since his debut production, ‘Trouble at Timpetill’. Over the years, they have enjoyed significant successes with him, including blockbusters like ‘Daddy or Mommy’, ‘What’s in a Name?’, ‘The Three Musketeers’, and most recently, ‘The Count of Monte-Cristo’.

Desmichelle exclaimed, “Given the circumstances, it’s only fitting that we embark on this thrilling entrepreneurial voyage with him and be a part of the YAPLUKA expedition!

Yapluka’s financial and legal advisors, Rothschild & Co and Fairway Avocats, have helped the new company prepare for the upcoming announcement of additional high-profile film projects.

Wachsberger characterized Rassam as an exceptionally skilled European film producer who is currently thriving, boasting a robust track record of achievements, not just in Europe, but across the world.

Wachsberger added, ‘His exceptional knowledge of global markets sets him apart and positions him well for future achievements in this field. I’m looking forward to collaborating with him in the time ahead.’

Read More

2024-12-16 20:48