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Ladj Ly Brings the Story of France’s First Black General to Life in ‘Dumas: Black Devil’

Ladj Ly Brings the Story of France’s First Black General to Life in ‘Dumas: Black Devil

French filmmaker Ladj Ly, known for his critically acclaimed feature debut ‘Les Misérables,’ is poised to bring the untold story of Thomas Alexandre Davy de la Pailleterie Dumas to the big screen in his upcoming film, ‘Dumas: Black Devil.’ The project is being produced by Dimitri Rassam’s Chapter 2, a Mediawan company, alongside Pathé, the studio behind successful adaptations like ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ and the two-part saga ‘The Three Musketeers.’

In collaboration with Srab Films, an Asacha Media Group company that has partnered with Ly on all his previous works, Pathé will handle the international distribution and sales for this ambitious project. Although the film’s budget remains undisclosed, it is anticipated to be one of the most significant French cinematic ventures set to begin production in 2025, featuring a cast of major French and international stars.

Ly aims to shed light on the remarkable life of General Dumas, who was born a Caribbean slave in 1762 and rose to prominence as a revolutionary general in the French military. As the son of a nobleman and an African slave, he made history as the first and highest-ranking Black leader in the French army, serving under Napoleon Bonaparte. Despite his achievements, Dumas faced considerable challenges, including a lack of recognition and being denied a full pension and the Legion of Honor by Bonaparte himself.

General Dumas’ legacy significantly influenced his son, the renowned author Alexandre Dumas, who drew inspiration from his father’s extraordinary journey to create literary classics such as ‘The Three Musketeers’ and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo.’ Even at a young age, Alexandre cherished his father’s memory, ensuring that the stories of his exploits would not be forgotten.

Rassam, who heads Chapter 2, expressed a strong desire to explore the roots of Dumas’ inspiration rather than rushing into a sequel for ‘The Count of Monte Cristo.’ And He believes that Ly is the ideal director to capture the complexity of General Dumas’ story.

Pathé Films President Ardavan Safaee emphasized that Ly’s “unique artistic vision” will illuminate the extraordinary tale of General Dumas, celebrating a rich heritage while addressing universal themes of courage and justice. He noted that the film would explore the genesis of Alexandre Dumas by delving into his father’s remarkable life and actions that shaped literary history.

Producers and co-founders of Srab Films, Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral, expressed excitement about continuing their partnership with Ly. They look forward to bringing this compelling story to a broader audience in collaboration with Chapter 2 and Pathé.

With ‘Dumas: Black Devil,’ Ly aims to not only entertain but also educate audiences about a pivotal yet overlooked figure in French history, ensuring that General Dumas’ contributions will finally receive the recognition they deserve.

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