There are few films about the battle between Johnny Law and drug dealers that can measure up to "The French Connection," so if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. That seems to be Cédric Jimenez’s operating principle, as his forthcoming "The Connection" is a Euro flavored take on William Friedkin‘s classic. The movie is headed to the Toronto International Film Festival for its world premiere, and the first international teaser trailer is here.
Jean Dujardin ("The Artist"), Gilles Lellouche, Céline Sallette and Benoît Magimel star in the action thriller, which looks pretty confidently put together. Here’s the official synopsis: Newly transferred to the bustling port city of Marseille to assist with a crackdown on organized crime, energetic young magistrate Pierre Michel (Dujardin) is given a rapid-fire tutorial on the ins and outs of an out-of-control drug trade. Pierre’s wildly ambitious mission is to take on the French Connection, a highly organized operation that controls the city’s underground heroin economy and is overseen by the notorious —and reputedly untouchable— Gaetan Zampa (Gilles Lellouche of Mesrine: Killer Instinct). Fearless, determined and willing to go the distance, Pierre plunges into an underworld world of insane danger and ruthless criminals.
Drafthouse Films has the U.S. rights, but no release date has been set. "The Connection" opens in France on December 3rd. Watch below. [AlloCine]