Filming has begun on A Waiter in Paris, the feature film debut of double BAFTA TV Award winner and Emmy Award-nominated director Peter Hoar (The Last of Us, It’s a Sin). The screenplay is written by Ben Hopkins (Fuze, Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie), adapted from Edward Chisholm’s best-selling memoir of the same name.
The production also confirms today that John Gore Studios (Onwards and Sideways, Frank and Percy) is producing, with John Gore producing alongside former film critic Jason Solomons of Movie Love Productions and Phin Glynn (Argentina, 1985, Glenrothan). Francis Hopkinson and Helen Flint executive produce on behalf of John Gore Studios, alongside Eva Yates for BBC Film; Mark Gooder and Alison Thompson for Cornerstone Films; Gaël Cabouat, Boris Mendza and David Atrakchi for Full Dawa Films; and Leo Woodall. Cornerstone is handling worldwide sales and will co-rep the US with WME Independent.
Previously announced lead cast member Leo Woodall (Tony, Tuner, One Day) and co-star Clémence Poésy (Harry Potter, In Bruges, Tenet) are joined by Julien de Saint Jean (Lie with Me, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Phantom of the Opera, The Lost Boys), Manon Bresch (Privileges, Muganga: The One Who Treats, No Way Down), Théo Costa-Marini (Case 137, The Brigade, A Tale of Two Cities), Victor Poirier (Alterlove, The Money Maker), Andrea Dolente (De Gaulle: Liberté, Ferrari, The Bureau), Kinsley Camachee (Passport (theatre), A Lovely Mess – Rob the Rich) and Thibault de Montalembert (Call My Agent!, My Mother’s Wedding, Franklin).
A Waiter in Paris follows L’Anglais (Woodall), a directionless young Englishman who arrives in Paris. Determined to find belonging among the sharp-suited brotherhood of Parisian waiters, he is swept into the exhilarating, unforgiving world behind the swing doors of chic brasserie Au Comptoir Bleu. But as hard work, heady nights and love affairs escalate, the new life he has chased begins to unravel – forcing him to confront what he truly wants.
The film’s key creative team includes César Award-winning Director of Photography David Chambille (Nouvelle Vague, The Great Arch, The Third Hand); Casting Director Mathilde Snodgrass (Maria, Mrs Harris Goes To Paris, Inglorious Basterds); César-winning Costume Designer Ariane Daurat (The Animal Kingdom, Garance, Gagarine); Editor Tim Hodges (Mr. Burton, Tip Toe, Life and Death in the Warehouse); Production Designer Clovis Weil (The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (Season 1), Marie Antoinette (Seasons 1 & 2), The Phantom of the Opera).
Peter Hoar, Director says, “I’m thrilled to welcome such an exciting ensemble of French and international talent to my feature debut A Waiter in Paris, alongside Leo Woodall and Clémence Poésy. This remarkable cast all bring something unique to each of the roles and together create an energy and depth to the vivid, seductive and fiercely human world we are creating.”
Jason Solomons, Producer says, “To have commenced shooting on this unique British film in the heart of Paris is a dream come true. After years spent admiring French cinema from my seat in the audience, I now find myself surrounded by an extraordinary cast and the most skilled and passionate crew. I’m honoured to be working with Leo Woodall at such a pivotal moment in his brilliant career and overjoyed by the emotional generosity of Peter Hoar’s thrilling direction. Having the support of John Gore Studios and a hugely encouraging executive team has given us the freedom to be bold, authentic and sexy, and to aim for the very top, inspired the screen history of this most cinematic of cities. Je suis ravi.”
John Gore, Producer and Executive Chairman of John Gore Studios says, “A Waiter in Paris is exactly the kind of ambitious storytelling we champion at John Gore Studios. It combines a compelling story with an exceptional cast and creative team, led by Peter Hoar, the master of emotionally powerful and visually distinctive storytelling. We’re delighted to join Jason, Phin and our partners in bringing this vivid, seductive and very human story to the screen.”
Eva Yates, Executive Producer and Director of BBC Film says, “We are thrilled to be supporting A Waiter in Paris alongside our brilliant partners. It is an incredibly charismatic story, set in one of the most cinematic cities in the world. With a wonderful director, an exquisite cast and an exceptional creative team, we are confident this sexy, funny and dynamic film will find a wide and enthusiastic audience.”
Kristian Brodie, Head of Development for CCM Development Fund, says, “It is hugely gratifying to have been on this journey with Jason and his brilliant team from the very beginning. We’re thrilled to be supporting Peter’s directorial debut, and we know that the amazing cast and crew that he and Jason have pulled together will deliver a gorgeous, funny and poignant film that we know audiences will love. To be able to develop, finance and distribute films like A Waiter in Paris is exactly what the Curzon CM Development Fund was set up to do.”
Shot entirely on location in Paris, A Waiter in Paris is presented by John Gore Studios and BBC Film, and is a Movie Love Productions, John Gore Productions and Equation Entertainment production, in association with Full Dawa Films providing French production services.
The project was developed with BBC Film and the collaborative Curzon CM Development Fund (a partnership between local distributors Curzon, Cineart and Madman). Key financiers are John Gore Studios and BBC Film.The film has been pre-sold to Curzon for the UK, Cineart in Benelux and Madman in Australia.
Woodall is represented by Anonymous Content, B-Side Management, Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher and Shelter PR, with Poésy, de Saint Jean, Bresch, Costa-Marni, Poirer, Montalembert all represented by Agence Artisique Adéquat. Camachee is represented by Noma Talents, Dolente is represented by Agence Parallaxe and Hoar by Curtis Brown/WME.
