11 January 2008

The second French thriller facing a UK DVD release in the next couple of months from Metrodome (see also Anna M) is The Serpent (usually we try include the original title in brackets in the case of foreign language films, but when that title is Le Serpent it sounds almost is if we're talking Franglais - oh damn, we did it anyway), a nifty thriller from relative newcomer Eric Barbier that is building a bit of a fan base and has attracted some very positive reviews. although does not appear to have reached the audience it could as yet. Maybe that's about to change.

The story centres around Vincent Mandel, a photographer caught up in an ugly divorce and fighting for custody of his children. His already troubled existence is blown apart by the appearance of a ghost from his past, Joseph Plender. Seductive, sympathetic, Plender is nonetheless utterly ruthless – a predator motivated by pure hatred of former classmate Vincent, and hungry for vengeance. It seems that Vincent's only chance to escape is to enter his world...

The Serpent has been announced for a UK DVD release by Metrodome on 3rd March 2008 at the RRP of £15.99. We don't have picture and sound details yet, but the extra features are as follows:

• 'Making of' featurette;
• Interviews with director Eric Barbier, Producer Eric Jehelmann and Olga Kurylenko;
• Trailer.