Red Bull Studios and based in London Featured Movies have teamed up on “Art of the Jump,” a documentary about the life and career of Sébastien Foucan, a well-known French athlete.
Directed by James Kermack (“Knuckledust,” “Hi-Lo Joe”), the documentary follows Foucan’s humble upbringing in the French suburb of Lisses to sports stardom. Foucan is known for participating in extreme sports such as freerunning and parkour, where he crosses obstacles by running, jumping, climbing and rolling.
The film is produced by Julien Loeffler and James Kermack for Featuristic Films and Philipp Manderla and Dominique Cutts for Red Bull Studios. Production on the film recently wrapped after filming in the United Kingdom and France.
“Sébastien Foucan’s story is a testament to the power of determination, innovation and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams, dreams that ultimately come at a cost,” said Kermack, who described Foucan as “a man who refuses to have your mind or your body caged. ” and a “pioneer who sees each leap… as an opportunity to advance from one experience to the next.”
Manderla says the film “interweaves art and movement, body and mind, weaving stunning sequences of parkour and acrobatics into living art.”
“Foucan’s story unfolds like an intricate tapestry, highlighting the founding of his children’s academy in London, dealing with a life-changing medical emergency, and facing adversity during his rise to prominence,” Manderla said.
Loeffler said the film “uses innovative visual techniques and powerful cinematic storytelling to share Sebastien Foucan’s unique discipline and values.” The film’s executive producers are Meredith Coral, Agam Jain, Emilie Robert and Georg Aschauer.
Featureuristic Films’ credits include the IFTA-nominated “Knuckledust,” starring Moe Dunford, Kate Dickie and Phil Davis, which was acquired by Hulu, HBO Europe and Sky Cinema; “Laurent Garnier: Off the Record,” which was sold by Anton and had its world premiere at CPH:DOX followed by selections at Edinburgh, IDFA and Karlovy Vary; “Say Your Prayers”, the second feature film from BIFA nominee Harry Michell with Harry Melling, Derek Jacobi and Roger Allam, which was acquired by Sky Cinema.
The company is currently in post-production on “Bardot,” a feature-length documentary directed by Alain Berliner (“Ma vie en rose”) about Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress, singer and animal rights activist.
