Latest news with #Dumas'
Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Where was ‘The Count of Monte Cristo' filmed? Behind the locations of Sam Claflin's new period drama
From black-and-white silent films and series to regional adaptations, French thrillers, and a Jim Caviezel noughties hit, Alexandre Dumas's 1844 classic The Count of Monte Cristo makes for evergreen source material for film and TV. Now, The Hunger Games star Sam Claflin puts his own charming spin on the vengeance-seeking prisoner Edmond Dantes in a new eight-episode miniseries that faithfully recreates the tumultuous years of early 19th-century France. True to Dumas' novel, the TV adaptation promises political conspiracies, personal vendettas, and sprawling locations from palatial French ballrooms to grim island fortresses. What is The Count of Monte Cristo about? The French-Italian production stars Claflin as Dantes, a man wrongfully imprisoned for treason. The site of his unlawful incarceration is the Château d'If, a wave-carved island off the coast of Marseilles. It's in the claustrophobic confines of this prison where Edmond silently plans his next move. Cut off from civilisation and his ladylove for fifteen years, Edmond returns a changed man, chancing upon some hidden treasure and taking on a new identity. His complicated schemes of revenge and manipulation lead to some delectable period drama. With Danish Oscar-winner Bille August (Pelle the Conqueror, 1998's Les Misérables) delivering his flair for grand historical narratives, the series resurrects Dumas's all-time classic with meticulous production design and gripping performances. Where was The Count of Monte Cristo filmed? Filming for the series commenced between August and December 2023, incorporating locations in France, Italy, and Malta. The shooting locations go in tandem with the novel's Mediterranean settings. While France is the heart of the story, it's in various spots in Italy where the broken hero Edmond Dantes rediscovers a new purpose in his life. Palais-Royal, Paris, France A French royal palace dating back to the 16 th century, the magnificently spread-out Palais-Royal complex overlooks the Louvre Museum and is one of Paris's most identifiable landmarks. The palace's grand exterior, spacious gardens, arched windows, and detailed ornamentation inside make it an ideal spot to double as a palace and ballroom for The Count of Monte Cristo 's major moments. Additionally, some of these sequences were also filmed at Paris's globally-renowned Opéra Garnier. The palace is currently the seat of the French culture ministry but it has changed many hands over the centuries. It was initially the personal residence of Cardinal Richelieu (interestingly, also the villain in Dumas' The Three Musketeers). Since then, the palace's ownership shifted between Louis XII, then Louis XIV, and so on. The Palais is also a hotbed for France-set Hollywood productions like The Da Vinci Code, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Interview with the Vampire, and the Netflix streaming hit Emily in Paris. Place des Vosges, Paris The Place des Vosges is Paris's oldest planned square, once dominating the chic gentry of the city during the 17th and 18th centuries. The trimmed bushes and varnished houses here formed the exterior for the house of Baron Danglar, the scheming villain behind Edmond Dantes's miseries. Chateau de Suisnes, France As for Danes's county house, the production team set up base outside Paris at Chateau de Suisnes. The quaint mansion lies in northern France, less than an hour away from the capital city. Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano, Turin From its opera houses to piazzas, Turin is a medieval time capsule. So, it's not surprising that the city hosted scenes in The Count of Monte Cristo. One location that preserves such old-school charm is the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano aka the Museum of the Risorgimento (the 19th-century movement focusing on unfying the Italian states into a single nation). It used to be Italy's first parlliament building but is now one of the country's grandest museums. Other Italian locations where The Count of Monte Cristo was filmed include the Palazzo Villanova in the commune of Strambino. The crew also reconstructed a hotel south of Turin, inside the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, an 18th century hunting lodge that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Piazza Farnese, Rome Set a few years after the French Revolution and Napoleon's exile, The Count of Monte Cristo finds Edmond witnessing a criminal facing the guillotine in the city square. This gnarly execution comes to life at Rome's Piazza Farnese, the main square of Rome's Regola district. Edmond's Parisian apartment was also set up outside France with Roman palace of Palazzo Taverna. Malta Film Studios, Malta Off the coast of Marseilles, Edmond challenges death and plots his revenge as he's trapped in the island prison of the Château d'If. Yet again, the crew didn't rely only in France and opted for sets in Malta. Maltese locations like Mdina and Manoel Island, Gzira were also used for filming exterior shots of Marseilles. Who stars in The Count of Monte Cristo? Edmond Dantes, aka the titular count, is played by Claflin, the star of films like The Hunger Games franchise and Me Before You. On television, he's best known as fascist politician Oswald Mosley in Peaky Blinders. Claflin is joined by veteran actor Jeremy Irons, who has had his fair share of period dramas like The Man in the Iron Mask (another Dumas adaptation), Kingdom of Heaven, The Borgias, and Brideshead Revisited. Irons plays Abbé Faria, a wise priest imprisoned on the same island as Edmond. French actress Ana Girardot (Escobar: Paradise Lost) plays Edmond's long-term love interest, the French noblewoman Mercedes. Other cast members include Danish actor Mikkel Boe Følsgaard (A Royal Affair) and British actress Poppy Colette Corby-Tuech (Fantastic Beasts series).
Winnipeg Free Press
26-06-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Police ID suspect in random attack at The Forks
Police say they have identified a man who beat a stranger until he was unconscious at The Forks earlier this month and have linked him to another random attack less than an hour later. The Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Thursday that the man assaulted a stranger and stole her purse as she stood in line outside a beer vendor at 12:05 a.m. on June 7. Later that morning, at 1:39 a.m., the man broke into a garage in River Heights and rummaged through a vehicle inside before trying to break into the home itself, police said. The beer vendor was at the Sherbrook Inn on Westminster Avenue. The attack at The Forks happened in the outdoor sitting area between the main market building and the Johnston Terminal at about 11:15 p.m. on June 6. Witnesses told police a man approached a 30-year-old stranger and hit him, knocking him unconscious and stealing an item from him. The victim was taken to hospital in stable condition and later released. The suspect ran toward the river walk, where he threw the stolen item at a woman who was walking a dog. The suspect was last seen near Bonnycastle Park, at Assiniboine Avenue and Garry Street, police said June 10 when announcing The Forks incident. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. The WPS said they are seeking Daniel Christopher Dumas, 33, in connection with the incidents. A warrant for his arrest has been issued. He is described as 5-8 in height, 150 pounds, with a thin build. The WPS asked anyone with information about Dumas' whereabouts to contact its major crimes unit at 204-986-6219, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online. SUPPLIED Police are searching for a man who randomly attacked a stranger at The Forks on June 6. 'The Winnipeg Police Service reminds the public not to approach Dumas if encountered, as he is considered armed and dangerous,' police said. fpcity@
Pink Villa
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Young and the Restless Spoilers, June 16 Episode: Victor Hides Dumas' Identity, How Will Adam Act Out?
The Young and the Restless spoilers for Monday, June 16, reveal tension building on Dumas' luxury train ride as Victor Newman continues to hide what he knows. Sharon, Nick, Victor, and Nikki are all traveling to Dumas' chateau, and Sharon is immediately uneasy. After several recent drugging incidents, she's hesitant to touch the onboard food or drinks. Nikki's joke about poison only adds to Sharon's anxiety, though Nick convinces her to enjoy a glass of Champagne. Victor seems irritated by Aristotle Dumas quoting The Count of Monte Cristo, mocking his mysterious persona. As the group settles in, Nikki begins to suspect that Victor already knows more than he's letting on about Dumas' true identity. Victor gives vague answers, hinting that he may be keeping secrets about Dumas' intentions. Later, Billy Abbott and Sally Spectra board the train. Victor reluctantly greets Billy and privately calls him a 'pawn' in Dumas' larger scheme. Billy, however, warns that Dumas' interest in Chancellor could be a threat to Victor himself. Victor doesn't seem concerned, suggesting instead that Billy will only make a fool of himself on this trip. Victor's odd remarks only increase Nikki's suspicions. When she asks if they'll be upset or shocked by Dumas' identity reveal, Victor avoids giving a straight answer. Meanwhile, Dumas is shown watching his guests through video surveillance, quietly saying, 'It won't be long now.' Holden faces pressure to leave town At the athletic club, Nate Hastings has a heated exchange with Holden Novak. Holden brings up Audra's past and criticizes Damian Kane. He insists he wants to stay in Genoa City, but Nate pushes him to head back to Los Angeles and warns him to stay away from Audra. At Society, Adam Newman and Chelsea Lawson talk about Victor's demand to publish hit pieces on Billy. Though Victor is expecting results, Adam chooses not to go through with the smear campaign. He tells Chelsea he's not going to cave to his father's pressure this time. Chelsea supports Adam's decision and praises how much he's changed. They share a kiss outside the restaurant, and their bond seems stronger than ever. There's even a hint that an engagement could be on the horizon for the couple.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
SA-born Marlene Dumas breaks global record with R245 million painting sale
Warning: Artistic Nudity — This article includes artwork containing nudity. Viewer discretion is advised. South African-born artist Marlene Dumas has shattered a global auction record after her 1997 painting Miss January sold for a jaw-dropping $13.6 million — more than R245 million. The sale took place at a Christie's auction held at the Rockefeller Centre in New York, with the event also streamed live on Instagram and YouTube. Dumas' painting currently holds the record for the most expensive painting ever sold by a living woman artist. She surpassed the previous record held by British painter Jenny Saville, whose 1992 work Propped sold for £9.5 million (R228 million) at Sotheby's in London in 2018. However, while Miss January sets a new benchmark for living female artists, Dumas still trails behind top-selling male artists like Jeff Koons, whose sculpture Rabbit (1986) sold for a staggering $91.07 million (R1.65 billion) in 2019. ALSO READ: April art auction: Expressions of labour, form Marlene Dumas' 'magnum opus' Christie's Deputy Chairman of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Sara Friedlander, described Miss January as Dumas' 'magnum opus'. 'In this painting, Dumas triumphantly demonstrates a formal mastery of the woman's body while simultaneously freeing it from a tradition of subjection, upending normalised concepts of the female nude through the lens of a male-centric history,' Friedlander said in a post-auction statement. Born in Cape Town in 1953, Dumas has lived in Amsterdam since 1976 and continues to exhibit her work at the Galleria Paul Andriesse, where she debuted in 1977. She represented the Netherlands at the 1995 Venice Biennale and was featured in the central exhibition space of the Biennale again in 2015. Her long list of accolades includes the Düsseldorf Art Prize (2007), the Rolf Schock Prize in Visual Arts (2011), the Johannes Vermeer Award (2012), and the Hans Theo Richter Prize for Drawing and Graphic Art (2017). NOW READ: Here's why investing in rare whisky can be profitable
SowetanLIVE
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SowetanLIVE
SA-born artist Marlene Dumas breaks record with R246m sale
A 1997 art piece painted by South African-born artist Marlene Dumas has sold for more than R230m at Christie's New York, setting a new benchmark for female artists in the 21st century art market. Dumas' provocative 2.74m-tall oil painting Miss January sold for a staggering $13.635m (R246.7m) on Wednesday, setting a new world record for a living female artist. The monumental portrait, a striking image of a blonde woman nude from the waist down, captivated collectors during the 21st Century Evening Sale held via Instagram Live and YouTube. Auctioneer Yü-Ge Wang, associate director and senior client adviser at Christie's, led the sale which saw fierce bidding and ultimately achieved a total of $96.5m (R1.75bn). An impressive 92% of lots were sold by number and 97% by value, with four artists breaking auction records: Louis Fratino, Simone Leigh, Emma McIntyre and Dumas. Dumas' record surpasses the previous benchmark held by British painter Jenny Saville, whose work Propped (1992) sold for £9.5m (R228m) at Sotheby's London in 2018. Despite this groundbreaking achievement, Dumas' sale still trails the record for a living male artist Jeff Koons' Rabbit (1986), which sold for $91.07m (R1.65bn) in 2019. Christie's reflected on Dumas' evolution as an artist, stating: 'Dumas started exploring and scrutinising the female form at age 10, with a drawing called Miss World' which depicted idolised glamour models. More than 30 years later, she returned to the subject with Miss January, a portrait that threads the line between revealing and concealing, and serves as perhaps the best example of her influential female portraiture.' Born in Cape Town in 1953, Dumas is based in the Netherlands, where she represented the country at the 1995 Venice Biennale and was later featured in the central pavilion in 2015.
