11-06-2009

Production: Ao in rehearsals in Sofia

By Pavlina Jeleva

    French directorJacques Malaterre is in Sofia rehearsing the UGC YMhigh budget epic fictionAo: The Last Neanderthal based on Marc Klapczynski's book Aô, Ancient Man.

    The film, which retraces the imaginary journey of a Neanderthalnomad(Ao) across Europe and his meeting with a Homo sapiens girl (Aki), is filming in Bulgaria, France and the Ukraine.

    Shooting began on January 21 in the Ukraine and will end on July 30 in France. Exterior locations are being filmed near Sofia. Malaterre is in his second rehearsal week with his Bulgarian cast, which included actress Vessela Kazakova (Prima Primavera).

    The executive producer is the Sofia based Patrick Sandrin of Sofilm (www.sofilm.net), working with producer Yves Marmion of UGC YM (www.ugc.fr). Sandrin was the key person for the Bulgarian/Ukrainian connection for the film, which is employing over 120 local cast and crew members.

    Production information:

    Script: Jacques Malaterre, Michel Fessler, Philippe Isard, based on Marc Klapczynski's book Aô, Ancient Man

    Director: Jacques Malaterre

    Director of Photography: Sabine Lancelin

    Art director: Christian Marti

    Costumes: Jean Daniel Vuillermoz

    Sound: Jean luc Verdier

    Producer: Yves Marmion for UGC YM

    Cast:

    AO: Simon Sutton

    AKI: Aruna Shields

    Aguik: Helmi Dridi

    Ounak: Vessela Kazakova

     

    Sofilm

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