Selected at the Cannes Film Festival, “Flo”, the biopic on Florence Arthaud is already in the sights of critics

According to relatives of the navigator who died in 2015, this film would present a ” totally distorted story “of his life.

The 72^And The Cannes Film Festival is upon us and the selection of films shown continues to be refined. The latest announcement? The spread of Flobrowser biopic Florence Arthaudpassed away in 2015. A world premiere announced by its director, Geraldine Danonwho knew her personally.

The film will not be part of the official competition, but will be selected at the Cinéma de la plage, where a giant screen will be installed so that the public can watch the films for free on the beach, near the Palais des Festivals.

In the title role, the actress Stephane Caillard, whose resemblance to Florence Arthaud is striking. The cast also consists ofAlison Wheeler, Alexis Michalik and Charles Berling. If there is no trailer yet, his script, which has been read by many relatives of the deceased, is under fire from critics.

A controversial biopic

Indeed, the entourage of the one who has been called “the little bride of the Atlantic” is far from approving of this feature film. Starting with her daughter, worried about what the job would bring to light. She, who also wanted to portray her mother’s life, asked for a copy of the script. But justice rejected her summary in mid-April.

The brother of the deceased, Hubert Arthaud, is even more virulent. He describes the film to France 3. as a “totally distorted narrative”. In question, a scenario implying that Florence Arthaud had a severe drinking problem.

Then he describes the steps “deformed”, including a scene in which Artaud takes the wheel while drunk, bottle of rum in hand, and causes a car accident. According to his brother, who remembers this incident, he wasn’t even driving when it happened. “We didn’t even ask my mother, who is still alive, for her opinion,” he has declared.

Also rejected by the world of the sea

But it’s not just people close to the sailor who feel cheated: “All the sailors who have had it are disgusted. They loved Florence. François Boucher or Olivier de Kersauson, they are disgusted »continues Florence Arthaud’s brother. Some personalities from the world of the sea even thought of writing a joint letter to express their discontent.

Although Hubert Arthaud has not seen any images from the film, and after reading the script carefully, he believes that this film “lost character magic”. To get to the bottom of it, head to its very first screening at the Cannes Film Festival.