Once Upon a Time in Production

Jacques Bidou began producing in 1987, and since 2000 he and Marianne Dumoulin have produced 115 films in 25 countries, half being first works. This world tour of impossible films, bumpy, and chaotic-72 documentaries, 42 feature films, 21 landings at Cannes-is the subject of this book. Its voices include Panh, De Medeiros, Peck, Jacir, Tsai Ming-Liang, Allouache, Rorhwacher, Loznitsa and finally the Iranian, Bakhshi. The epic experience producing his film Yalda (Sundance Grand Prix 2022) proved the spark which set Bidou's pen alight...I know Jacques Bidou's incredible work, much of it with directors no one else would risk producing. He is one of the unheralded catalysts of Third Cinema. This honest, humorous account of what it takes to deliver a director's vision on minimal budgets, with multiple production partners in unpredictable times, should be read by anyone serious about bringing the stories of our world to the screen. - John AkomfrahJacques Bidou takes the reader on the true journey of the film producer. He reveals the hair-raising backstage shenanigans necessary to see through an international co-production. This is a meticulous study of the foolhardy dedication of the passionate producer. - Rebecca O'Brien