Depardieu to star in ‘French Sideways’

Veteran actor Gérard Depardieu is to star in a French wine-themed ‘buddy movie’ that is being compared to the hit US film Sideways.

Gérard Depardieu has been a familiar figure on the wine expo circuit and has wine interests in several regions of France, including Anjou, the Medoc and Languedoc-Roussillon. (Photo: Wiki)

Set in Beaujolais, the film is called Saint Amour and is due to be released in March of this year in France.

In the film, Depardieu plays a farmer who tries to restore his relationship with his estranged son (played by Vincent Lacoste) by taking him on a tour along the Beaujolais wine route.

The film also stars the Belgian comedian and actor Benoît Poelvoorde and has a cameo appearance from the controversial French novelist and film-maker Michel Houellebecq.

The wine theme of the film is familiar ground for vinophile Depardieu, who makes wine in Anjou and the Medoc, as well as being engaged in other winemaking projects in other regions of France.

In addition to his extensive interests in wine, the bibulous Depardieu – who has previously admitted to drinking up to 14 bottles of wine a day – also owns several restaurants and his own brewery.

The 67-year-old actor has also spoken of plans to produce his own ‘bio-vodka’ in Russia, where he has had citizen status since renouncing his French citizenship in protest against President Hollande’s high rate of tax on France’s wealthiest citizens.

The trailer to Saint Amour (in French, no subtitles) can be viewed below: