Netflix will premiere the new war thriller Jadotville, starring Jaime Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) and Guillaume Canet (Tell No One), across all its territories in 2016.
Netflix acquired Jadotville at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival. The film will go into production in April.
A gripping true story of incredible bravery against impossible odds, the film thrillingly depicts the 1961 siege of a 150-strong Irish UN battalion under Commander Patrick Quinlan (Dornan) by 3000 Congolese troops led by French and Belgian mercenaries working for mining companies. Canet plays a French commander who sought to defeat Quinlan and his men.
Directed by Richie Smyth, a well-known commercial and music video director (U2, Bon Jovi, The Verve) and written by Kevin Brodbin (Constantine), Jadotville will be filmed in Ireland and South Africa. Alan Moloney and Ruth Coady will produce for Parallel Films (Haywire, Albert Nobbs, Byzantium). Netflix acquired Jadotville at the 2015 Berlinale.
“The story of how Pat Quinlan led his troops against an overwhelming force without losing a single man is one of the great stories of the 20th century, and we are proud to be working with such a talented and committed team to bring it to life,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “This film will be an amazing addition to our global original film initiative.”
“As filmmakers, we are constantly looking for new ways to bring a movie to the largest possible audience. Netflix has already reinvented the TV market and is now moving front and centre into the film business. We are proud and excited to be part of their story and innovation.” said Parallel Films’ Alan Moloney.