As a seasoned movie critic with a deep appreciation for historical epics and a soft spot for French cinema, I find myself utterly enthralled by the ambitious endeavor of Dimitri Rassam, the prodigious son of iconic actor Carole Bouquet and producer Jean-Pierre Rassam. With his latest venture, Yapluka, Rassam aims to create a European financing and distribution powerhouse that will undeniably leave an indelible mark on the global film industry.

After achieving successive hits like “The Count of Monte-Cristo”, French producer Dimitri Rassam is now embarking on a new venture – Yapluka, an influential European financing and distribution company. This project has the support of prominent figures in the French film industry, such as Pathé, M6, and Rodolphe Saadé’s CMA Media.

Recently, Rassam, who heads Chapter 2 – a company under Mediawan’s ownership, collaborated with Pathé on bringing Alexandre Dumas’ literary masterpieces to the big screen. “The Count of Monte-Cristo” and “The Three Musketeers,” two-part adventure sagas, have been successful at French box offices this year, earning over $75 million internationally (prior to its U.S. debut).

As a history enthusiast myself, I’ve managed to captivate mainstream viewers, particularly young adults, with these historical movies produced in French. “The Count of Monte-Cristo” is currently in its 24th week in French theaters and has garnered over 9.3 million admissions so far. This impressive feat places it at the top of the charts for a locally produced film that’s not a French comedy, marking a significant milestone in our cinematic history.

The soft-spoken producer, who is the son of famed actor Carole Bouquet and iconic producer Jean-Pierre Rassam, now aims at tackling even bigger projects for the international market, as well as help nurturing a new generation of filmmakers and producers who share his vision to “build a strong and ambitious European line up.”

In my new journey with Yapluka, I’m diving straight into our inaugural project: “The Iron King,” an expansive cinematic masterpiece that is a part of Maurice Druon’s Les Rois Maudits (“The Accursed Kings”), which has been compared to “Game of Thrones.” This film will serve as the English-language debut for the talented duo, Alexandre de la Patellière and Matthieu Delaport, renowned for their work on “The Count of Monte-Cristo.

Rassam announced that we’ll be collaborating on a long-awaited film adaptation of a beloved book series, involving Chapter 2, Fargo Films, and Pathé Films. This series, written by Druon, has been a dream project for Rassam since he first read it three decades ago. Notably, this series served as an inspiration for George R.R. Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones.’ Production for the franchise is set to begin in 2026, commencing with the first book, ‘The Iron King.’

Rassam has established strong relationships in both the U.S. and France, which have led to some high-profile European family offices agreeing to invest in Yapluka. The details of these investors will be disclosed at a later time. Additionally, Patrick Wachsberger, a successful Oscar-winning producer known for “CODA” and a respected figure in international sales, has joined the advisory board of Yapluka. Starting today, operations for Yapluka will commence with Wachsberger’s expertise to guide the way.

As a seasoned movie reviewer, I find myself captivated by Rassam’s vision when he declares, “I envision ‘Yapluka’ as a sanctuary for aspiring filmmakers.” After two decades immersed in the realm of production, his ambition is to establish a company that would walk alongside large European productions, catering to the global market.

Yapluka, playfully named after a French phrase meaning “let’s dive in,” specializes in funding films with budgets ranging from $20 million to $80 million. These productions have the capacity to captivate both European and international audiences. The company aims to finance approximately three to four movies annually.

As a passionate movie critic, I’ve been profoundly influenced by the innovative approach and philosophies that Legendary Entertainment embodies. In my pursuit of fostering fresh and captivating cinema, I aim to collaborate with a diverse range of talents and studios. My goal is to serve as a conduit, bridging the gap between independent-minded creators who bring unique visions to life and the essential resources – financing and distribution – that can catapult their work onto the global stage.

Rassam announced that he will carry on his role as a producer under Chapter 2, but he also feels it’s time to expand his ventures by delving into financing and distribution. Leveraging the expertise and connections amassed during his two-decade career in diverse genres such as comedies, grand historical dramas, animation, and high-end auteur films, he plans to scale up. He refers to this approach as ‘aggregating talent.’ Rassam is eager to collaborate with a wealth of talented individuals, and he considers Yapluka the perfect platform for this partnership.

Regarding their forthcoming English rendition, Patellière and Delaporte expressed excitement about Maurice Druon’s renowned series, The Accursed Kings, as it has been a cherished dream for them.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to be part of the team that’s breathing new life into this timeless masterpiece on the silver screen. Spanning generations with its epic scale, this work stands as a singular artistic feat. We take great pride in our role of adapting it for modern audiences. The initial installment, “The Iron King,” sets the stage for this sweeping tragedy. Our goal is to craft an indelible cinematic journey filled with the intricate dance of power, passion, and deceit. Notably, this isn’t our first foray into grand storytelling, as we previously crafted the dual epics “The Three Musketeers.

Ardavan Safae, the head of Pathé Films, expressed excitement about joining Dimitri Rassam’s latest project, YAPLUKA. For a long time, Pathé has worked closely with Dimitri, collaborating on the production and distribution of several of his high-profile films, including “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte- Cristo.

In our partnership, we rely on mutual trust and a joint dedication to superior quality, from the initial phases of creation through to worldwide dissemination. YAPLUKA offers an enticing chance to bridge a market void, backing daring, top-tier projects that viewers eagerly seek.

The executive expressed great enthusiasm about continuing the partnership with Dimitri, starting with Les Rois Maudits, helmed by the exceptionally skilled duo Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière, and many more remarkable projects in the future.

Thierry Desmichelle, the CEO of SND and M6 Films, which is the film division of France’s second largest commercial TV network, has stated that the group has been backing Dimitri since his debut production, ‘Trouble at Timpetill.’ They have experienced significant successes with him, including hits like ‘Daddy or Mommy,’ ‘What’s in a Name?’, ‘The Three Musketeers’, and more recently ‘The Count of Monte-Cristo’.

Desmichelle exclaimed, “Given that, it’s only fitting for us to embark on this thrilling entrepreneurial voyage alongside him and be part of the YAPLUKA experience!

As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that the upcoming projects from our company are looking quite promising. Rothschild & Co and Fairway Avocats have been appointed as our financial and legal advisors for Yapluka, which suggests some significant films are on the horizon.

Wachsberger characterized Rassam as an exceptionally talented European film producer, who has a robust history of achievements not just in Europe, but also on a global scale.

Wachsberger added that his exceptional knowledge of global markets sets him apart and positions him well for future achievements. He’s excited about collaborating with him in the coming years.

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2024-12-16 20:17