France’s picturesque landscapes are steeped in countless legends, but one in particular has captured the attention of filmmaker Thierry Mauvignier. At 58 years old, Thierry, along with his brother, the renowned French writer Laurent Mauvignier, has been immersed in the historical tapestry of the small town of Poitiers, France, since childhood. Together, they have chosen to revisit the legend associated with the Moulière Forest a tale of a child’s tragic death at the hands of a nobleman. Was it a mere accident or something more sinister like a satanic ritual ? Thierry endeavors to unravel this mystery in his project, ‘La « Légende des seigneurs assassins » (The Legend of the Assassin Lords). Joining them on this journey is the young filmmaker, Dylan Besseau, through his documentary, ‘La Légende de Thierry Mauvignier.
An Immersive Dive into the Heart of French Cinema
The film takes us on an immersive journey alongside Thierry Mauvignier and his team, providing intimate glimpses into their lives and experiences. We share moments with notable actors such as Frans Boyer, a familiar face on the Poitiers theater scene, Franck Beckmann, who portrayed Professor Tyron in « Code Lyoko Evolution », and Yannick Jaulin, a former survivor of the Order of the Solar Temple cult. What distinguishes this documentary is its profound emphasis on the human aspect of the filmmaking process. Remarkably, it was accomplished with a modest budget of just 12,000$, partly funded by online supporters through crowdfunding. Dylan paints a compelling portrait of Yannick, shedding light on his path to redemption after eight years in the cult. The documentary offers an insider’s view of the creation process behind a short fiction film and demystifies the world of French cinema with unfiltered sequences. In a style reminiscent of the famous French television show « Strip-Tease », Dylan presents a film that is unpretentious yet brimming with heightened realism. « The legend of Thierry Mauvignier » is a must-watch on Prime Video.
