Terence Films creates high-end Louis Braille drama for global market

Banijay France’s scripted label Terence Films announced a new premium drama in development based on best-selling novel “The Hands of Louis Braille,” by Hélène Jousse. Patrice Leconte, the well-known French director and writer has immediately accepted to freely adapt the novel into a world-class drama.

As well as directing, Leconte will partner with Serge Frydman to write the screenplay, tracing the life of young genius Louis Braille, who lost his sight at four years old. In the 1800s, through his desire to access knowledge in his early teens, Louis Braille revolutionised the world by creating the tactile writing system that bears his name.

“Louis Braille is one of France’s most iconic figures, and while his writing system is known globally, the story of his life is largely untold. At a young age he changed the world for millions by creating a code that works in all alphabets and languages, even today. Based on a novel by Hélène Jousse, this drama is set to have widespread appeal, especially with Patrice Leconte on board to write and direct. With his impressive list of credits, he is ideally placed to take this extraordinary story and develop it into a high-end proposition for the international market,”  commented Bertrand Cohen and Stephane Meunier, Co-Founders of Terence Films.

Lars Blomgren, Head of Scripted at Banijay, declared: “We have a very established scripted business in France, and this deal is further evidence of how our companies attract significant talent and IP. The story of Louis Braille is a fascinating one, and with the audience demand for untapped, diverse stories continuing to grow on both linear broadcasters and streaming platforms, there is huge potential globally for this inspirational drama”.

Terence Films is behind numerous hit dramas. This year, the company has produced the fourth season of “Criminal Pacific” (18×52’), two TV-movies of “Poquelin & de Beaumont” directed by Gabriel Aghion for France Television; and the feature film “Magnificat,” which is supported by an advance on earnings from the CNC (Orange Cinema - theatrical release in 2022).