Sienna Miller has boarded Joe Weiland and Finn Constantine’s short film “Marion” as executive producer.
The film tells the story of Marion, France’s only female bull-jumper.
“The short tracks the tense fifteen minutes before her first performance in a packed French arena,” reads the logline. “As she prepares, being the only woman in the team, the film explores her battle against misogyny and prejudiced attitudes. A journey of one woman through an all-male world – juggling motherhood and the contentious pursuit of her passion.”
Caroline Larbère – a real French bull-jumper – plays Marion, who is struggling to reconcile her passion for the sport with her womanhood. Weiland and Constantine were inspired to write the short by Larbère herself.
In France, La Course Landaise is an ancient form of bullfighting that involves no bloodshed. The film was shot last December in Bayonne, France.
“Marion” (Courtesy OB42, Solab Pictures)
Courtesy of OB42/Solab Pictures
Radouan Leflahi, Manuel Severi and Laurent Fernandez also star.
“Marion” is Weiland’s sophomore directorial effort after his debut, “Gorka,” which is a nominee in the short film category at the upcoming BAFTA awards. “Gorka,” which follows a French exchange student’s first visit to England, was also selected for the BFI London Film Festival.
Constantine is a director and photographer working across fashion, art and music and has worked with brands including Gucci and Adidas.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be executive producing Joe’s next film ‘Marion,’” said Miller. “It’s the beautiful story of Caroline and I’m feeling quite smug that I managed to join the Joe Weiland train as it’s leaving the station. ‘Gorka’ had me laughing then crying my eyes out. ‘Marion’ feels like the next step of an exciting journey.”
Weiland and Constantine added: “’Marion’ is a film with real heart. A story of courage. When we met Caroline – we just couldn’t shake off her story. Her resilience in the face of adversity as the sole woman in this male-dominated French world. But we didn’t want to make a documentary. We wanted to bring this world to life through fiction – with Caroline playing herself.”
“Marion” is a co-production between OB42 in the U.K. and Solab Pictures in France. Marija Djikic produces while DOP is Harry Wheeler.
