Romain Gavras’ new film "Sacrifice" has started filming in Greece
An international collaboration by Onassis Culture
Following the project “Gener8ion” and the film “Athena,” Onassis Culture is now supporting “Sacrifice,” the latest film from the enfant terrible of French cinema, Romain Gavras.
"Sacrifice" tells the story of Joan, a zealous spirit driven by a volcanic prophecy only she can hear, who is on a mission to save the world from a fiery reckoning.
Iconoclast announced yesterday that principal photography is underway in Greece and Bulgaria on Romain Gavras’ English-language debut, "Sacrifice." Gavras is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with Will Arbery ("Succession"), featuring an all-star cast. Following Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, Salma Hayek Pinault, and Sam Richardson, the cast now includes Vincent Cassel ("Liaison," "Mesrine"), John Malkovich ("Dangerous Liaisons," "Being John Malkovich"), Charli xcx ("Faces of Death," "I Want Your Sex"), Yung Lean (making his feature film debut), Ambika Mod ("One Day," "This Is Going to Hurt"), Jade Croot ("Rabbit Trap," "The Serpent Queen"), Jeremy O. Harris ("The Sweet East," "Emily in Paris"), and the recently Tony Award-winning actress Miriam Silverman ("Your Friends and Neighbors," "Motherland").
"Sacrifice" tells the story of Joan (Anya Taylor-Joy), a zealous spirit driven by a volcanic prophecy only she can hear, who is on a mission to save the world from a fiery reckoning. Along with her militia of mystical disciples, she hijacks a glamorous charity gala and takes three hostages: Mike Tyler, a beleaguered movie star desperate for redemption, Bracken, the world’s richest man, and Katie, who’s just unlucky. They are forced on a journey, as hilarious as it is epic, through forest and fire until Mike faces the ultimate question: what would he sacrifice for humanity?
“I grew up with Greek mythology. Instead of feeding me new movies when I was a child, my parents told me these ancient stories, where a mother eats her children or sacrifices are made to volcanoes. These things nurtured me and led to the idea of a group of children with a very specific agenda rooted in a largely mythological value system. I have a penchant for satire, and Will Arbery is amazing at sharpening the tone of the characters and their humanity. I’m very excited about our cast of actors.” - Romain Gavras
Romain Gavras’ most recent feature film, "Athena," was nominated for a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2022.
Mid March Media and Film4 are co-financing the film, which is produced in association with Gucci, Head Gear Films, Onassis Culture, and the Athens Festival. Kate Glover is a co-producer, and Solent Film is servicing the film in Bulgaria.
CAA Media Finance and Rocket Science represent the worldwide distribution rights. The film is an official co-production between Greece and the UK.
Vincent Cassel is represented by Agence Adéquat; John Malkovich by WME and ID; Ambika Mod by The Artists Partnership and Tapestry; Yung Lean by Paradigm; Jade Croot by Markham, Froggatt & Irwin; and Jeremy O. Harris by CAA. Romain Gavras is represented by Iconoclast Management, CAA, Agence Adéquat, and Gang, Tyre.
Onassis Cinema supports independent Greek cinema in all its forms and expressions. The Onassis Foundation participates in films, with Onassis Cinema endorsing established creators and emerging talents through script development and the production of short and feature films. It collaborates with significant organizations to strengthen Greek cinema and engages in new international productions. It produces both short and feature films, including narrative and documentary projects. The foundation grants film awards at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, the International Short Film Festival of Drama, and the “Premiere Nights.” It hosts screenings on the Onassis Channel on YouTube and organizes open calls for short films.
