Premiere - Challenger: A memorable premiere at the Forum des Halles in the presence of the cast

By Mulder, Paris, Forum des Halles, UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles, 01 to 15 october 2024

This evening, our media had the honor of attending the premiere of the film Challenger at the Forum des Halles, UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles. The event was attended by director and co-writer Varante Soudjian, accompanied by lead actors Alban Ivanov, Audrey Pirault, Soso Maness and other cast members. The room was packed, with an enthusiastic audience eager to discover this new comedy-drama centered on the world of amateur boxing, and driven by a great collective energy.

Challenger tells the story of Luka, played by Alban Ivanov, a dreamer who aspires to become a great boxer. An amateur at heart, Luka's fights are small and lacklustre. But one day, fate offers him an unexpected opportunity to shine and prove that he can make it to the top. This 95-minute feature film, co-written by Varante Soudjian and Thomas Pone, draws its inspiration from legendary boxing sagas such as Rocky, whose codes it uses while injecting a typically French sense of humor.

In his introductory speech before the screening, Varante Soudjian explained that the idea for Challenger grew out of his love for the Rocky saga and his desire to tell a story in which an insignificant character becomes a heroic figure despite the odds. The film oscillates between comedy and drama, a combination dear to the director who had already collaborated with Alban Ivanov on La Traversée and Inséparables. Soudjian also spoke of the depth of Luka's character, a simple, dreamy man confronted with his own limitations, but who refuses to give up.

Alban Ivanov, perfect in the lead role, plays Luka with an accuracy that oscillates between comedy and raw emotion. In the press kit, he confides that he underwent six months of intensive training at a boxing club in Marseille, working out four or five times a week to make his character believable. This physical preparation enabled Ivanov to fully immerse himself in the skin of this amateur boxer, son of a former champion, who refuses to resign himself to failure.

Alongside her, Audrey Pirault shines in the role of Luka's manager Stéphanie, a close friend and driving force behind his career, always ready to push him further. The relationship between the two characters, tinged with tenderness and comic moments, is a real highlight of the film. Their obvious on-screen complicity was underlined by the warm applause from the audience this evening.

Talented rapper and actor Soso Maness plays Moreno, a slightly screwed-up but endearing manager whose chemistry with David Salles, who plays Jacquet, is hilarious. Together, they bring an extra touch of humor and quirkiness to this world of amateur boxing.

Beyond the humor, Challenger is above all an ode to perseverance. Luka, the boxer who dreams big despite his failures, embodies determination and the will to follow through on his dreams, no matter how big or small. As Alban Ivanov explains, this character's simplicity, courage and inability to give up despite hard knocks, both in the ring and in life, are touching.

The film, which opens in cinemas on October 23, 2024, promises to be a hit, both for its ability to make people laugh and for the messages of hope it conveys. The Parisian audience, won over by tonight's screening, gave the actors' performance and the quality of the film a well-deserved standing ovation.

Challenger, an engaging, funny and emotional comedy, is a great success on the French cinema scene. Don't miss this film which, like Luka, has every chance of touching and surprising you.

You can see our selection of photos on our official Flickr page

Synopsis: 
Luka dreams of being a great boxer... Unfortunately, for the time being, he's just an amateur and has to make do with small, messy fights. But one day, fate knocks on his door and propels our hero to the top!

Challenger
Directed by Varante Soudjian
Produced by Nora Melhi, Arthur Essebag, Yohan Baiada
Written by Varante Soudjian, Thomas Pone
With Alban Ivanov, Audrey Pirault, Soso Maness, Moussa Maaskri, David Salles, Alexandre Antonio , Jonas Dinal, Pierre-François Martin-Laval, Nordine Salhi, Nassim Benahmed, Marie Lanchas
Music: Vincent Lebègue
Director of photography: Cyril Bron
Editing: Brian Schmitt
Production companies: Les Enfants Terribles, Alef Two
Distributed by UGC Distribution (France)
Release date: October 23, 2024 (France)
Running time: 95 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville