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A major new contender has emerged at the Cannes Film Marketas acclaimed director Yann Demange (Top Boy, ’71) prepares to helm the contemporary London-set thriller Lineage. The project, which is being launched by Veterans and CAA Media Finance, boasts a diverse and high-profile international ensemble.

A Powerhouse Cast

The film features a mix of veteran screen presence and rising global stars:

Isabelle Huppert: The French screen legend takes on her first-ever British film role as a “formidable crime boss matriarch.”

Dali Benslah & Adam Bessa: Joining Huppert are Benssalah (No Time to Die) and Bessa (Extraction). Notably, this reunites Huppert and Bessa, who also co-star in Asghar Farhadi’s Parallel Tales.

Raye: In a significant “breakout screen role,” the award-winning global recording artist makes her transition to feature films.

Written by Enda Walsh (Hunger) based on a story by Demange, Lineage is described as a deeply personal “love letter” to multicultural London.

The narrative centers on Tariq, a man attempting to rebuild his life and provide for his young son after a stint in prison. His resolve is tested when his brother pulls him back into the city’s criminal underworld, forcing Tariq to confront his mother—the crime boss—and the violent legacy he hoped to leave behind.

The film marks a “homecoming” for Demange, who seeks to blend the propulsive energy of the crime genre with an exploration of family loyalty and the struggle to transcend one’s origins . The project is produced by Thomas Benski, Meredith Duff, Angus Lamont, Cécile Gaget, Christophe Toulemonde, and Pascal Caucheteux. It’s executive producers includes Tessa Ross (House Productions) and Eva Yates (BBC Film).

With its “elevated storytelling” and mix of artistic ambition and commercial appeal, Lineage is being hailed as one of the hottest projects to watch during this year’s Cannes Market.