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KILLING OSCAR WILDE

A psychological thriller motivated by a feminist pamphlet against homophobia.

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The unprecedented story of Oscar Wilde's fall, culminating with a KO in the ring at the hands of his archenemy, Lord Queensberry, inventor of the rules of English boxing.

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Synopsis
In the height of his fame, Oscar Wilde's illegal affair with Bosie Douglas spirals into a battle of loyalty and betrayal with the violent determination of Bosie's father, Lord Queensberry, who is the creator of modern boxing. 
As Bosie settles scores with his father, Wilde finds himself not only confronting societal contradictions but also fighting for his own dignity and freedom. In a captivating blend of historical facts and allegory, the ring becomes the battleground for their conflict. Words collide with fists, revealing Wilde's tragic yet heroic struggle, offering a bold portrayal of a society poisoned by hypocrisy, where the artist becomes both martyr and hero.

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​​​Prospective casting: Cillian MURPHY – Jason ISAACS – Eliot SUMNER 

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International coproduction: ARTAK Pictures (USA & LU), BESIDE Productions (BE), GRAND PICTURES (IE), HORIZON FILM (UK) & LUMIÈRE PROJECT (HK)

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Producers Note
Our close relationship with Oscar Wilde's grandson, Merlin Holland, has enabled us to create a story in which the cavalier, progressive, boxer antihero, Lord Queensberry, emerges at the heart of a psychological thriller that leads Oscar Wilde to ruin.
The audience also leaves the ring knocked out. Round after round, the story deals with homophobia, family violence and the pressures of society, which feed a generational trauma that spans over centuries.

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Drawing from the real-life events of Oscar Wilde's trial, the screenplay navigates from historical accuracy to a more allegorical interpretation of reality. Its climax, a departure from the conventional courtroom setting, envisions Wilde and Lord "England" Queensberry facing off not with legal arguments, but with both words and fists in a boxing ring.

A film based on an original work by Brigitte COQUELLE & Guillaume QUETEL

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"Killing Oscar Wilde" demands a bold and sophisticated artistic vision, a rare mastery of both directing and composition.
Combining artistic excellence with global commercial appeal, this film will mark Oscar Wilde's grand return to the big screen, this time to celebrate not the dandy master of aphorisms, but the magnificent hero who confronts with panache the wretched hypocrisy of a society riddled with contradictions.

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