Scripted

The ambitious, new historical drama, Voltaire in Love (4 x 50”), commissioned by France Télévisions will be distributed globally by ZDF Enterprises, excluding French speaking territories in Europe. It will also be seen on the new French streaming platform SALTO, which will be launched shortly. The four-part series, currently in post-production, explores the early life and evolution of one of the world’s greatest philosophers.

Produced by best-selling author/journalist/director/screenwriter and César nominee Georges-Marc Benamou (The Last Mitterand, The Ghost of Munich), from Siècle Productions, the series is a co-production with Umédia, Wallimage, RTBF and Pictanovo. Alain Tasma, who has worked with acclaimed filmmakers including François Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard and Arthur Penn, is the director and shares the writing credit for Voltaire in Love with Benamou and Henri Helman. Overseeing the partnership for ZDF Enterprises is Mirela Nastase (Director ZDFE.drama) who recognised the exciting potential of the project at La Rochelle Fiction Festival 2019 where Benamou first presented the concept.

Top French acting talent starring in the drama include Thomas Soliveres (Intouchables, Cyrano, My Love), in the lead role as the young Voltaire, Thibault de Montalembert (Netflix’s The King and Call My Agent), Valerie Bonneton (Les Petits Mouchoirs), Victor Meutelet (Netflix/Tf1 The Bonfire of Destiny).

Robert Franke, Vice President ZDFE.drama, ZDF Enterprises, said: “Voltaire in Love will be a standout title in our scripted catalogue this autumn. A fascinating biographical drama of one of the most forward-thinking figures of the Enlightenment who is being rediscovered by a whole new generation.”

Georges-Marc Benamou, writer, producer and President of Siècle Productions, said: “We wanted to tell the incredible adventures of the “young Voltaire”, who will become the inventor of freedom, tolerance and the enemy of fanatics.This is why this film fits very well with our present times.”

Voltaire in Love captures the turbulent life of the young philosopher and visionary. Voltaire’s love stories, the issues with his father, his commitment against religious fanaticism and the arbitrary misuse of justice and politics and his imprisonment in the Bastille are all covered in this powerful and dynamic mini-series.