Filmmaker Alexandre Smia’s directorial debut “Jupiter” has taken on unexpected relevance since its conception. The nuclear thriller, which centers on a newly elected French president facing potential war with Russia, began development when Joe Biden held office. Now, as it prepares for its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, geopolitical tensions have shifted dramatically, making the film’s scenarios feel disturbingly plausible.
The film follows Denis Ménochet as Paul Archambault, a French president summoned to a secret bunker after an assassination attempt on Russia’s leader triggers an international crisis. With Russia threatening retaliation and nuclear conflict looming, Archambault and his advisers must navigate an impossible situation. Smia emphasizes that his work explores realistic possibilities rather than distant dystopian fantasies, a perspective shaped by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and France’s emerging role as a nuclear power within NATO and the European Union.
Smia, whose previous credits include writing for the spy series “The Bureau,” collaborated with nuclear deterrence expert Bruno Tertrais and French military officials to ensure authenticity. The cast, led by Ménochet and supported by a strong French ensemble, underwent intensive rehearsals to master the specialized political and military dialogue. Paris-based sales company SND is handling the film’s international distribution.
Originally reported by Variety →
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