Dumas

Alexandre Dumas’ legendary, prolific, but eventually tumultuous relationship with his ghostwriter August Maquet is beautifully examined in a film that puts Oscar-nominated actor Gerard Depardieu back full-blown in his bountiful persona as the celebrated French author.

Between 1843 and 1846 Dumas published what were to become his most successful novels: The Three Musketeers, The Counte of Monte Cristo, and Queen Margot. This output, in both quality and volume, would have been impossible without his right-hand man, the expert researcher and inventive scribe, August Maquet (strong support from Belgian star Benoit Poelvoorde). When Maquet seeks out the attention of a woman under the guise of Dumas himself, the duo’s previously peaceful relationship begins to collapse.

Director Saffy Nebou (known also for his award-winning The Giraffe’s Neck) masterfully recreates the tension between the two writers as Manquet emerges from the limelight to strive for the same goal, and ultimately, the same woman as his literary comrade. Featuring standout performances all around.

Introducing the film is U of M professor John Wright, Afro-American studies and Dumas expert with a recently finished biography on the author.

Print Sources: TF1 International, Claire Thibault, office@thefestivalagency.com