Wilde vs England

WILDE VS ENGLAND tells the unprecedented story of Oscar Wilde's fall, culminating with a KO in the ring at the hands of his archenemy, Lord Queensberry, inventor of the rules of English boxing.

In the height of his fame, Oscar Wilde's illegal affair with Bosie Douglas spirals into a battle of loyalty and betrayal with the violent determination of Bosie's father, Lord Queensberry, who is the creator of modern boxing. As Bosie settles scores with his father, Wilde finds himself not only confronting societal contradictions but also fighting for his own dignity and freedom. In a captivating blend of historical facts and allegory, the ring becomes the battle, ground for their conflict. Words collide with fists, revealing Wilde's tragic yet heroic struggle, offering a bold portrayal of a society poisoned by hypocrisy, where the artist becomes both martyr and hero.

Oscar Wilde is at the very peak of his popularity when he meets Bosie, even if the play wright is married and father to two children. Blinded by his own fascination for his young friend, he lets himself be embarked into the torments of a hateful family relationship and becomes the victim of a society full of contradictions.

Lord Queensberry is the representative of a society no longer able to cope with its own contradictions. His aristocratic attire in no way masks his inclination for boxing, and his propensity to act with violence. He hopes to save his son by precipitating the downfall of Oscar Wilde.

Bosie Douglas is deadly reminiscent of Dorian Gray and presents many of his symptoms : beauty, irreverence and a personal pathology which plunges him into disorder. His conflict with his father becomes an obsession, causing his lover's downfall.

Wife of Oscar Wilde and mother of their two sons, Constance is a strong and independent woman, determined to maintain her dignity and protect her children at all costs. As the narrator in our story, she appears to know and see everything.

Sybil Montgomery is the wife of Lord Queensberry and mother of Bosie. She repeatedly stands up to her husband and protects her son's secrets from him, often toeing the line between wanting to protect them and wishing for their happiness.

Wilde vs England demands a bold and sophisticated artistique vision and Laurent Boutonnat brings a rare dual mastery of directing and composing.

He combines artistic excellence with global commercial appeal, this film will be his major comeback to cinema.

Pioneer who elevated music videos to cinematic art and propelled French icon Mylène Farmer by crafting her visual and musical identity.

Director of GIORGINO (cult among cinephile) and JACQUOU LE CROQUANT (budget €20M, 1M admissions in France and 2 César nominations)

Audience & sales records: over 80M views on YouTube and over 8M records sold Awards: 2 César nominations - Best clip of the year at “Victoires de la musique ”- Grand Prix Audiovisual Author-Director by SACEM

RnB!FILMS are the original creators Wilde vs England. Since launching the company in 2016, Brigitte Coquele and Roland Tcherkezian have made their mark in the film industry with anumber of award-winning series such as Plaisir de Nuire, Joie de Decevoir on OCS and Les Ouf Lectures de Yay Moore with Radio France. Their latest short-film, Demain il fera beau, also won the Unifrance award at the Cannes Film Festival.

ARTAK PICTURES is owned and managed by women working in entertainment in Los Angeles. The company has strong European roots with its founding members originating from Luxembourg, France, Germany and Switzerland. Their international approach makes them an essential asset to this project. Their latest work includes the award-winning short film, Unforgotten, as well as Julia Stiles's feature film Wish You Were Here

One can't make a film about Oscar Wilde without an Irish company such as GRAND PICTURES. On top of executive producing, Michael Garland has appointed casting director Elaine Grainger, who is responsible for head casting in England and the USA. Garland has over 10 feature films and as many TV series to his credit. His latest work includes the series, Ridley Road, which stars Rory Keanner, who is also set to join the cast of our film.

The Belgian company BESIDE PRODUCTIONS will executive produce as well as handle post-production. With their experience in ambitious productions with budgets similar ti Wilde vs England, they are a precious and highly committed partner on our film. And with oer 50 co-productions since 2015, BESIDE PRODUCTIONS' team brings a wealth of hands-on experience to every European projects they join.

Drawing from the real-life events of Oscar Wilde's trial, the screenplay navigates from historical accuracy to a more allegorical interpretation of reality. Its climax, a departure from the conventional courtroom setting, envisions Wilde and Lord "England" Queensbery facing of not with legal arguments, but with both words and fists in a boxing ring.

This script delves into the pivotal juncture of Wilde's life, refracted through the perspectives of authors Guillaume Quetel and Brigitte Coquelle, who share a close connection with Merlin Holland, Oscar Wilde's grandson. Blending fact with extrapolated fiction gleaned from meticulous research, the narrative is imbued with dramatic flair and contemporary relevance.

The French origins of this production hold symbolic significance, as France historically served as a refuge for Wilde as well as a nurturing ground for his creative endeavors. With Wilde's deep connection to France in mind - reflected in his writings and his choice to FARAK spend his final days in Paris -WILDE VS ENGLAND stands as a unique homage that is poised to reignite the flame of Wilde's unconventional spirit. -

-Roland Tcherkezian and Brigitte Coquelle-