THE SEDUCTION

(MERTEUIL)

TELEVISION COMPETITION

TRUFFAUT THEATER

Drama

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2
8:10 pm (Screening ends at 9:45 pm)
Followed by a conversation with composer Delphine Malaussena

PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

HBO Max

Directed by: Jessica Palud
Created by: Jean-Baptiste Delafon
Written by: Jean-Baptiste Delafon in collaboration with Jessica Palud (Episodes 1,2 & 6) and Gaëlle Bellan (Episode 1)
Based on the Novel by: Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Produced by: Clément Birnbaum, Joachim Nahum (Nabi Productions), Marie Guillaumond (Felicita Films)
Cinematography: Sébastien Buchmann
Original Score: Delphine Malaussena
Film Editing: Eric Armbruster, Thomas Marchand, Camille Toubkis
Cast: Anamaria Vartolomei (Isabelle de Merteuil), Diane Kruger (Rosemonde), Vincent Lacoste (Valmont), Lucas Bravo (Gercourt)
Original Broadcasting: HBO Max (2025)

synopsis

To be the hero of your own story, you sometimes have to be the villain in others’. Marquise de Merteuil (Anamaria Vartolomei – Mickey 17, The Count of Monte Cristo, Being Maria, Happening), betrayed by Valmont, embarks on a daring journey to become Paris’ leading courtesan. Freely adapted from the novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, a thrilling exploration of the price of emotional & sexual freedom, in a world where women had little.

Director’s & Creator’s biographies

Director Jessica Palud began her career as an assistant director. In 2013, she turned to writing and directing with her first feature, Les Yeux fermés. That was followed by two shorts, Poupée (2016) and Marlon (2017), which was nominated for a César Award for Best Short Film. Her next feature, Revenir (2019), garnered the Best Screenplay Award at the Venice Film Festival, and Being Maria (TAFFF 2024) had its world premiere that year in Cannes. Series creator Jean-Baptiste Delafond is known as a formidable screenwriter for the small screen. His television writing credits include numerous episodes of Julie Lescaut (2002-2006), J.P. (2005-2008), Mac Orlan (2009), Maison Close (2010), Baron Noir (2016-2018 – COLCOA 2018), Of Money and Blood (2023-2024), and The Confidante (TAFFF 2024). His theatrical feature credits include Tristan Séguéla’s The Adulteen (2013), Thomas Kruithof’s Promises (2021), Yann Gozlan’s Visions (TAFFF 2023) and Guru (TAFFF 2025), as well as Gallien Guibery’s No One and Nothing (2023).