Gaumont picks up 'De Force'

Crime thriller was helmed by ex-con Frank Henry

By ELSA KESLASSY

French mini-major Gaumont has taken domestic distribution and international sales rights to "De Force," an $11.5 million crime thriller helmed by ex-con-turned-filmmaker Frank Henry. Pic stars French thesp and helmer Olivier Marchal ("36 Quai des Ofevres"), Isabelle Adjani ("Skirt Day") and Simon Abkarian ("The Army of Crime"). Pic is produced by Frank Chorot's Marilyn Productions and co-produced by Gaumont. Canal Plus has pre-bought TV rights. esla

The Paris-set film centers on an inmate, played by Marchal, who's forced to collaborate with the French organized crime divisionto dismantle a high-profile gang network. "De Force" will start shooting in Feb. for eight weeks.

Henry, a former member of a notorious French gang who spent 21 years behind bars, penned various episodes of Marchal's crime skein "Braquo," which was a hit of Gallic paybox Canal Plus. This film marks his directorial debut.

Gaumont has also nabbed domestic distrib and international sales to "Jo's Son" an $12-million drama set in world of rugby. Starring Gerard Lanvin ("Public Enemy Number One") and Marchal, the film is produced by LGM Productions and directed by first-time helmer and former rugby player Philippe Guillard. TV rights have been pre-bought by Canal Plus, TF1, TPS.

At AFM, Gaumont is unspooling Marion Cotillard-starrer "The Last Flight," a Sahara-set romance. The Gallic company is also showing a promo of Joel Schumacher's "Twelve," which stars Emma Roberts and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.