EXCLUSIVE: An exhaustive casting call has gone out this morning for the thinly veiled movie about the “DSK” scandal that rocked New York, Paris and the world in 2011. Dominique Strauss Kahn–the French politician and businessman– wwas arrested for allegedly raping a New York hotel maid on May 15, 2011. Gerard Depardieu stars as the renamed “Devereaux” and is the co-producer of the film.
The descriptions of the needed cast call for “full nudity,” “simulated sex” and orgy scenes.And there seems to be a decided point of view: that the maid lied. There also seem plans to graphically re-create the alleged–but never legally proved –rape.
The maid, in the movie, is described: [MAID] Searching for African woman (Native African NOT African American) in her early to mid 30s. This maid seems impassive when Devereaux exits his shower in the nude. Later, disheveled and seemingly distraught, she falsely accuses Devereaux of sexual assault…no lines, at least 4 scenes MUST BE ABLE TO DO FULL NUDITY AND SIMULATED SEX SCENES. [Ed note: I have added bold faced type]
The story brought international headlines and was such a scandal that it destroyed DSK’s plans to run for the French presidency. At the time of his arrest, Kahn was Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and had been French Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry. He resigned from the IMF on May 18. 20011.
DSK went into house arrest in downtown Manhattan with his wealthy French wife, Anne Sinclair, while the NYPD investigated the case. In the end, no charges were brought against him. But the maid, Nafissatou Diallo. sued him and the case was eventually settled. The Kahns returned to France, where they are now divorced.
Eccentric director Abel Ferrara announced plans last year to make the movie, with French legend Gerard Depardieu signed to play DSK and Isabelle Huppert to play his wife Anne Sinclair. In the casting sheet, there is no mention of Sinclair or Huppert. But the movie is set to begin shooting in NYC next month.
A whole group of characters is being cast in “docudrama” style. The call is for people with real life experience who’ve worked in law enforcement and for hotels.
The film’s summary: A former college professor, swept up into the fast-paced world of politics by his ambitious, wealthy wife, is an unabashed hedonist who is on the fast track to become the next president of France. However, an accusation of rape while in the U.S. derails his career and
makes him take a good, hard look at his marriage, his morals, his motives, and the alarming downward path he suddenly finds himself on — a trajectory that may ultimately lead to redemption…
The full casting call:
CAST: Devereaux (Gerard Depardieu)
[DAUGHTER] Devereaux’s daughter, she’s a beautiful, bright young woman in her mid 20’s who
gets along famously with her father, whose practicality and keen intellect she shares. She’s
accepting of her father’s hedonistic shenanigans, but her wealthy new American boyfriend may
not be as tolerant as she is…LEAD
[DESMOND DELACROIX] Searching for French man in his 40’s/50’s. Must speak fluent, native
French (NOT Quebecois French). In sharp contrast to his free-wheeling boss, Devereaux,
Delacroix is a buttoned-down and serious functionary, a former secret service officer and now the
head of Devereaux’s security team. He’s preparing his team to protect the next president of
France — but their expectations are derailed by scandal…3 speeches & 1 lines, at least 1 scene
[GEORGE, PHILLIPE, PIERRE] Searching for French Men in their 40’s/50’s. Must speak Fluent,
native French (NOT Quebecois French). Devereaux’s loyal “crew,” these men are accustomed to
the sexual escapades of their boss, and indeed, exuberantly join in his latest orgy in a New York
hotel suite…4 lines, 4 scenes; 2 lines, 3 scenes; 3 lines, 4 scenes respectively
[RENEE] Searching for French woman in her 30s. Must speak Fluent, native French (NOT
Quebecois French). Simone’s classy assistant, she takes a keen interest in Devereaux’s political
career, just like Simone, to whom she is fiercely loyal. She’s also appalled at the unraveling
scandal…2 speeches & 7 lines, 5 scenes
[JOSH] Josh is a wealthy blueblood from Kentucky in his mid to late 20’s whose family is into
manufacturing. Somewhat taken aback by Devereaux’s frank talk about sex, Josh may not be
able to handle the breaking scandal surrounding Devereaux…17 lines, 1 scene
[LIVIA] Searching for French woman in her 40s/50s. Must speak native, fluent French (NOT
Quebecois French). Simone’s close and trusted friend, this French socialite responds with
surprising sarcasm and venom to the scandal, denouncing Devereaux as a “peasant” whose guilt
is a foregone conclusion…5 speeches & 5 lines, 1 scene
[INMATE 1, 2 AND 3] Searching for African American and Latino men in their 20s/30s. Searching
for tough, urban, thug types. Men of color, these threatening and intimidating inmates share a
holding cell with Devereaux at the Tombs in New York. They treat Devereaux with hostility,
suspicion, and outright menace…3 speeches & 7 lines, 1 scene; 2 lines, 1 scene; 1 speech & 1
line, 1 scene respectively
[YOUNG MAN] Searching for African American and Latino man in his 20s. Searching for tough,
urban, thug types.This creepy young man is in the Tombs for beheading his best friend. Bright but
unhinged, he tells Devereaux that he still converses freely with his pal’s severed head, which he
has kept in his freezer…2 speeches & 5 lines, 1 scene
[ELENA] She is Devereaux’s striking aide, who warmly greets her boss upon his arrival in the
U.S. She later administers a massage and engages in a steamy public tryst with her boss…no
lines, at least 2 scenes MUST BE ABLE TO DO FULL NUDITY AND SIMULATED SEX SCENES
[SECURITY AGENT #2] A man in his 40s member of Devereaux’s security team, he’s extremely
uncomfortable when Devereaux starts publicly fondling his aide, Elena…1 line, 1 scene MUST
SPEAK NATIVE FLUENT FRENCH
[ROXANNE, BEBE, LILLY AND FIFI] SEARCHING FOR BEAUTIFUL EASTERN EUROPEAN,
FRENCH AND LATINA WOMEN. These gorgeous young prostitutes enthusiastically join
Devereaux and his crew in a sumptuous orgy in a New York hotel suite. They are all charmed by
the randy and rollicking Devereaux…3 lines, 3 scenes; 1 speech, 2 scenes; 2 lines, 2 scenes; 2
lines, 2 scenes respectively MUST BE ABLE TO DO FULL NUDITY AND SIMULATED SEX
SCENES
[DESIREE AND ELENA] SEARCHING FOR BEAUTIFUL RUSSIAN AND EASTERN
EUROPEAN WOMEN. These beautiful Russian prostitutes engage in a sado-masochistic tryst
with Devereaux that gets a bit out of hand…no lines, 3 scenes apiece MUST BE ABLE TO DO
FULL NUDITY AND SIMULATED SEX SCENES
[MAID] Searching for African woman (Native African NOT African American) in her early to mid
30s. This maid seems impassive when Devereaux exits his shower in the nude. Later, disheveled
and seemingly distraught, she falsely accuses Devereaux of sexual assault…no lines, at least 4
scenes MUST BE ABLE TO DO FULL NUDITY AND SIMULATED SEX SCENES.
[MAN] This mysterious man steals Devereaux’s Blackberry from his hotel suite…no lines, at least
1 scene SEARCHING FOR STRONG, IMPOSING, INTERESTING TYPES
[MAITRE D’] This maitre d’ at an upscale New York restaurant warmly greets Devereaux in
French…possible lines, 1 scene MUST SPEAK FLUENT, NATIVE FRENCH
[GENTLEMAN] This loud and obviously intoxicated older gentleman holds forth at a small
birthday party about Simone’s various charities and outreaches…2 speeches, 1 scene
SEARCHING FOR ELEGANT, SOCIALITE TYPE
[DINNER GUEST AND DINNER GUEST 2] These chic society types attend a small birthday party
at Simone’s Paris apartment…1 line, 1 scene apiece SEARCHING FOR CHIC, HIGH SOCIETY
MALE AND FEMALE TYPES
NOTE: IN DOCUDRAMA STYLE, FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES WE ARE SEARCHING FOR
MEN AND WOMEN WITH REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE PERTAINING TO THE CHARACTERS.
PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSIONS.
[HOTEL CLERK] This female manager at a New York hotel is being questioned by detectives
when she receives an urgent phone call from Devereaux, who is trying to find his missing
Blackberry…at least 1 speech, 1 scene SEARCHING FOR WOMEN WITH HOTEL
EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[DETECTIVE AND DETECTIVE PA] These detectives take Devereaux into custody at JFK, and
later interrogate him at the Port Authority precinct…2 speeches & 3 lines, 2 scenes; 1 speech & 2
lines, 2 scenes respectively SEARCHING FOR MEN WITH REAL POLICE DETECTIVE
EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[PAUL] This aging pop star is being feted by Simone at a small birthday party in Paris…no lines,
at least 2 scenes SEARCHING FOR FRENCH SINGER/MUSICIANS IN THEIR 40s/50s.
PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[SGT. LANDANO] This detective informs Devereaux that the NYPD needs to speak to him about
an “incident’ in a local hotel…2 lines, 1 scene SEARCHING FOR MEN WITH REAL POLICE
EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[DETECTIVE ROSARIO] This NYPD detective tells the disconsolate Devereaux he will have to
wait until the other detectives come back to the unit…2 lines, 1 scene SEARCHING FOR MEN
WITH REAL POLICE DETECTIVE EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN
SUBMISSION.
[JUDGE] This unsympathetic female judge slaps Devereaux with a million dollar bail…1 speech &
4 lines, 1 scene SEARCHING FOR WOMEN WITH REAL LEGAL EXPERIENCE. PLEASE
STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[PROSECUTOR] This prosecutor tells the Judge that Devereaux constitutes a flight risk…1
speech & 1 line, 1 scene SEARCHING FOR MEN WITH REAL LEGAL EXPERIENCE. PLEASE
STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[GUARD] This prison guard transports Devereaux to Rikers Island…3 lines, 2 scenes
SEARCHING FOR MEN WITH REAL GUARD EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN
SUBMISSION.
[TRANSPORTATION CORRECTION OFFICER] This officer hands Devereaux’s papers to the
intake officer at Rikers…1 speech & 2 lines, 1 scene SEARCHING FOR MEN WITH
CORRECTIONS OFFICER EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[CORRECTIONS OFFICIAL] This official at Rikers processes Devereaux into the protective
custody unit…1 line, 1 scene SEARCHING FOR MEN WITH CORRECTIONS OFFICER
EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
[HOUSEKEEPER] This housekeeper serves Devereaux coffee…1 line, 1 scene
[OFFICER] This officer escorts Devereaux out of Rikers after his bail is paid…1 speech, 1 scene
SEARCHING FOR MEN WITH CORRECTIONS OFFICER EXPERIENCE. PLEASE STATE
EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION.
