A new film directed by Melanie Laurent shines a light on the lesser-known story of French criminal Bruno Sulak. “Freedom” follows Laurent’s decade-long effort to bring Sulak’s narrative to the big screen. Laurent first learned of Sulak over ten years ago and was struck by how he differed from other notorious criminals of his era. Unlike contemporaries who relied on violence, Sulak avoided using weapons and maintained a long-term romantic relationship.
Laurent faced challenges securing the film due to biases in the French film industry. As a woman director presenting a smaller project, studios doubted her vision. Streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video have since created more opportunities for diverse stories. Laurent credits these platforms for embracing filmmakers like herself. “Ten years ago, major directors wanted this film but no one trusted me,” Laurent said.
Actor Lucas Bravo takes on the complex leading role of Sulak. To prepare, Bravo studied prison recordings of Sulak and read publications by the criminal. He also wore Sulak’s favorite perfume to embody the man. Bravo saw the role as a chance to break from his previous work in “Emily in Paris.” Laurent brought a different approach to the gangster genre by crafting it as a romance with criminal acts in the background.
The film was produced swiftly over just seven weeks. Laurent committed deeply by riding along with actors to capture the energy of Sulak’s kinetic story. Few male directors would attempt such physical involvement. By transforming Sulak’s overlooked story into a more nuanced portrayal, Laurent challenges traditional narratives and highlightsunique perspectives from women directors.
As “Freedom” becomes available to stream on Prime Video this November 1st, it stands as proof of Laurent’s perseverance and creative vision for showcasing overlooked stories. The film displays the ongoing evolution of cinema and representation in the industry.
