Watch The Making of Les Cowboys

Les Cowboys is a French language film, the debut feature by director Thomas Bidegain, which premiered in 2015 at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is a reimagining of John Ford's 1956 classic, The Searchers. The story revolves around a man named Alain, whose teenage daughter vanishes from a weekend festival. The film has been critically acclaimed for its inventive blend of drama, thriller, and western genres.

The making of Les Cowboys is a fascinating story of multiple influences that come together to create a deeply layered film. Bidegain was the screenwriter for Jacques Audiard's hit film, A Prophet, which won the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The success of A Prophet propelled Bidegain to the forefront of French cinema, and he seized the opportunity to make an original and daring film.

Bidegain's inspiration for Les Cowboys came from his fascination with the western genre, combined with his love of Jean-Paul Sartre's play, The Condemned of Altona. Bidegain also drew from the small body of French westerns that had been made in the 1970s, such as Antoine's Louis Malle and Le Sang des Autres by Claude Chabrol. He was intrigued by the idea of exploring the relationship between the modern world and the mythology of the Wild West.

Bidegain's script for Les Cowboys was not a direct adaptation of The Searchers but rather an adaptation of the idea of The Searchers. The director updated the story to a contemporary setting, thus making it unique and individual. Bidegain also infused the film with themes of loss, family, and identity. The result was a powerful and gripping story that resonated with audiences and critics alike.

One of the most significant challenges of making Les Cowboys was finding the perfect cast. Bidegain knew that he needed exceptional actors to bring his vision to life, and he spent months searching for the most talented performers. At the center of the cast was French actor Francois Damiens, who played the lead role of Alain. Damiens was a perfect fit for the character's complex emotional journey, and he delivered a remarkable performance.

Bidegain also cast his wife, actress and filmmaker Julie Gayet, in a supporting role. Gayet's character, a woman who helps Alain search for his daughter, brought a much-needed female perspective to the film. The rest of the cast was made up of a mix of experienced actors and talented newcomers, who all contributed to making Les Cowboys a truly gripping and unforgettable film.

Another significant challenge of making Les Cowboys was capturing the film's unique mood and atmosphere. Bidegain and his cinematographer, Andre Chemetoff, worked tirelessly to create a distinctive visual style. They shot the film on location in France, using natural lighting and a subdued color palette to give the movie an almost dreamlike quality. The result was breathtakingly beautiful, and it added depth and nuance to the story.

Les Cowboys is an extraordinary film that brought together multiple influences to create a wholly unique cinematic experience. Bidegain's script was born out of a love for the western genre and French cinema, and he combined those influences with themes of loss, family, and identity to create a powerful story. The film's cast was exceptional, with Francois Damiens delivering a standout performance. The movie's visual style was also striking, with natural lighting and a subdued color palette contributing to the film's dreamlike quality. Les Cowboys is an excellent example of the power of cinema to transcend genres and boundaries, and it's a must-see for fans of westerns and French cinema alike.