QUEEN TO PLAY (Joueuse) Presented the same day at its World Premiere in New York Drama France/Germany, 2009 In French with English subtitles Directed by: Caroline Bottaro Written by: Caroline Bottaro, Caroline Maly, Jeanne Le Guillou Cinematography by: Jean-Claude Larrieu Editing by: Tina Baz Le Gal Original Music by: Nicola Piovani Produced by: Dominique Besnehard, Michel Feller Production Company: Mon Voisin Productions Co-produced by: France 2 Cinéma International sales: STUDIOCANAL 1, place du Spectacle 92863 Issy-les Moulineaux Tel: +33 1 71 35 35 35 www.studiocanal.com With: Sandrine Bonnaire (Hélène), Kevin Kline (Kröger), Jennifer Beals (The American Woman), Valérie Lagrange (Maria), Francis Renaud (Ange), Laurence Colussi (Pina), Didier Ferrari (Jacky), Alexandra Gentil (Lisa), Dominic Gould (The American Man), Daniel Martin (Chess Club President), Alice Pol (Natalia), Élisabeth Vitali (Marie-Jeanne) Starring Franco-American duo Sandrine Bonnaire (Her Name Is Sabine (COL•COA 2008),Vagabond, Under The Sun of Satan, The Ceremony) and Kevin Kline (The Pink Panther, French Kiss, Cry Freedom, Sophie’s Choice), Queen To Play portrays the emancipation of a woman through chess playing. Sandrine Bonnaire plays Hélène, a hotel chambermaid whose life is transformed when she sees a couple play chess at the hotel. Obsessed by the game and the desire to master it, she meets Kröger (Kevin Kline), an American expat who teaches her how to play and becomes her mentor. American actress Jennifer Beals (Flashdance, The Grudge 2, The Anniversary Party) also stars in the film. Before Queen To Play, her first film as writer-director, Caroline Bottaro has worked on various screenplays and adaptations with Jean-Pierre Améris, including the award-winning C’est La Vie (2001), starring Jacques Dutronc and Sandrine Bonnaire, based on a novel by Marie de Hennezel, La Mort Intime. She also co-wrote and directed the short film La Mère (1995), starring Nathalie Baye. Known for his ability to discover new talents, Dominique Besnehard has been a major casting director and artistic agent in France since the 1970s. Also an actor, he has appeared in numerous films including Betty Blue, Diva, or The Little Thief in often memorable cameos or second roles. In 2007, Dominique Besnehard started a new career as producer with Days of Darkness, written and directed by Denys Arcand, closing film at the 60th Cannes Film Festival. He has also co-produced A Day at the Museum, screened at COL•COA this year. Followed by a discussion with Producer Dominique Besnehard