French Drama ‘Sugar and Stars’ With Influencer Just Riadh as Famous Pastry Chef Lures Major Distributors Worldwide (EXCLUSIVE)
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France TV Distribution has enlisted a raft of major distributors worldwide for “Sugar and Stars,” a movie starring Riadh Belaïche, a social media influencer-turned-actor.
The inspirational drama is based on the true story of Yazid Ichemrahem, an underdog who became a famous pastry chef.
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“Sugar and Stars” marks the debut feature of Sébastien Tulard, who has directed several shorts and worked as assistant director on hit French comedies such as Tarek Boudali’s “30 jours max,” Frank Gastambide’s popular show “All the Way Up,” Dany Boon’s “Supercondriaque” and Philippe Lacheau’s “Babysitting.”
The film was penned by Penned by Cédric Ido and based on Ichemrahem’s bestselling autobiographical book “Un rêve d’enfant étoilé.”
The story revolves around Yazid, who spent his childhood moving from one foster home to another while dreaming of becoming a pastry chef. Nothing predestines him for such a career, but Yazid’s fierce determination and resourcefulness allow him to thrive in the elitist arena of patisserie. Working for the world’s top chefs from Paris to Monaco, Yazid sets off to win the international pastry championship.
The character of Yazid is played by Belaïche, an Algeria-born French influencer known as Just Riadh, who previously starred in “30 jours max,” “Validé” and “Stalk.” Belaïche has more than 5.5 million followers on TikTok. He stars opposite Loubna Abidar (“Much Loved”).
Produced by Laurence Lascary’s banner De l’Autre Côté du Périph (“The Climb”), the movie has been sold by France TV Distribution to 24 Bilder in Germany and in Austria, Bim Distribuzione in Italy, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, Nos Lusomundo Audiovisuais in Portugal, Cirko Film in Hungary, MCF Megacom Film in Ex-Yugoslavia, BestFilm in the Baltic States, TVA Films in Canada, Hark & Company in Japan, A Really Good Film in Hong Kong and Taïwan, Noori Pictures in South Korea and Vietnam, Nueva Era Films in Latin America, Lev in Israel, Mars in Turkey, Babilla Ciné in Colombia and Rialto Distribution in Australia and New Zealand.
“‘Sugar and Stars’ is an uplifting film about how we can master our own destiny and overcome social barriers,” said Julia Schulte, SVP of international sales at France TV Distribution. “We are proud that this touching story ‘made in France’ will travel, thanks to our distributors, to many European and worldwide territories.”
Lascary described “Sugar and Stars” as a “universal story, the extraordinary journey of a young man who started from nothing to become one of the greatest pastry chefs in the world.”
“Seeing this film travel and meet the public beyond the borders of France is a great source of happiness and pride,” Lascary continued.
France TV Distribution is pursuing sales this week at the MIA market in Rome.
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