Secret défense (2008)

Director:

Philippe Haïm

Writers:

Nathalie Carter (participation)
Philippe Haïm (idea)

Release Date:

10 December 2008 (France)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

In France, terrorist groups and intelligence agencies battle in a merciless war everyday, in the name of radically opposed ideologies...

Plot Keywords:

Nerve Gas | Wine | Anti Terrorism | University Professor | Subway

Cast

Gérard Lanvin	...	Alex
Vahina Giocante	...	Diane / Lisa
Nicolas Duvauchelle	...	Pierre
Mehdi Nebbou	...	Ahmed
Rachida Brakni	...	Leïla / Chadia
Simon Abkarian	...	Al Barad
Aurélien Wiik	...	Jérémy
Katia Lewkowicz	...	Aline
Kamel Belghazi	...	Aziz
Djemel Barek	...	Khaled
Carim Messalti	...	Hajj
Hassam Ghancy	...	Danar
Nicolas Marié	...	Fouche
Salem Kali	...	Salem
Moussa Maaskri	...	Slim

Also Known As:

Secret Defence (Canada: English title) (DVD title)
Secrets of State (International: English title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | France:U (with warning) | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Company:

UGC YM

Trivia:

Philippe Haïm started working on this film by writing down everything he could about the D.G.S.E. (the French secret service) and the challenges and threats the agency seems to receive. He then proceeded to write three drafts of the script with the input of several consultants, after which co-writer Julien Sibony came in, and later Nathalie Carter. Not knowing anything about the world of espionage and counter-terrorism, Sibony was able to see the script's weaknesses, such as when it was unclear for the uninitiated, and Carter was essential to develop Vahina Giocante's character Diane. In the end, the 18th draft was the shooting script, even though several changes were made while filming and even during the editing process.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: DGSE headquarters are shown in La Défense (west of Paris) whereas the real headquarters of the DGSE is in the eastern part of Paris

My I don't know how much they spent on the budget but it wasn't worth it!

Right, I think the first issue is with the editing, pace was roughly there but it just seemed to stutter in places and when most of the actors seem to have come straight out of stage school the pace really needs to be right on the button(compare and contrast with the UK TV drama, Spooks).

The story was weak and watered down, too many jumps without any suggestion, a poor script and direction also.

Thirdly the female lead, Vahina Giocante, really should have been shown the door after the first week, too much overacting for me, I've seen comedians act better. However I haven't seen any of her other stuff though so it could have been just a duff one for her.

Simon Abkarian has played measured bad guys before and did pretty well but I'm afraid that poor old Gérard Lanvin just didn't have enough script to go on, they spent too much time on the Martyr when they could have worked more on his character.

Sorry I really had high hopes for this and really wanted to like it, I even watched it twice to make sure I wasn't missing anything, but remember this is my opinion I'm sure others will love it. they tried to take the Spooks concept and do a French big budget movie, perhaps they should have got a script re-write and got Mathieu Kassovitz to direct.