Crois Pas Qu’on Dort’ makes French cinematic debut

Inspiring feature film from PI Studios and SRAB Films supported by Nike is supported by outdoor campaign across Paris

“Crois Pas Qu’on Dort” (“Don’t Think We’re Sleeping”) an inspiring and unique feature-length story of three young French athletes in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics has made its cinematic debut in France. The 90-minute French language film which was developed and produced by Pi Studios and SRAB Films with the support of Nike premiered at Le Grand Rex cinema in Paris yesterday at an event attended by 2000 people including the young athlete stars of the film.

The premiere will be followed by a two day release across 500 screens in France taking place on January 17-19.  The cinema release is being supported by outdoor media including iconic posters running in Paris and a PR social media and digital campaign all created by WE ARE PI with media by Initiative.

Alex Bennett-Grant founder and EP of Pi Studios commented: “There’s no more powerful feeling than watching 2000 young Parisians laugh cry and cheer on their peers as they see their own lives reflected in the story of a generation coming to life on screen in one of the world’s most iconic cinemas. Now the fun begins as the film rolls out in cinemas across France.”

A Nike spokesperson added: “Crois Pas Qu’on Dort is the culmination of a seven year commitment to tell the true story of what it’s like to chase athletic dreams.”

“Crois Pas Qu’on Dort” follows three protagonists from Paris and its suburbs: Charles-Antoine a runner with an intellectual disability who competed in this year’s Paralympics and Leyna and Maysane French twin sisters and heirs to their Laotian-Algerian family’s very own taekwondo dynasty who are coached by their father and dream of competing in taekwondo at Paris 2024.

The athletes were followed by a film crew over the course of five years recording how their stories their lives and their sporting achievements unfold over time culminating at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympics.

The film features an exclusive original track by French hip-hop artist Tiakola in collaboration with Para One and Sam Tiba the composers of the film’s score.

Nike and Pi Studios, the production arm of Amsterdam-based WE ARE PI, co-produced the film with SRAB Films Palme d’Or-winning makers of the 2019 Oscar-nominated French crime thriller Les Misérables. It was shot in 12 different countries around the world by a 250+-strong production team that also includes a range of under-represented film-making talent.

As part of the project Pi Studios with the support of Nike launched the Crois Pas Qu’on Dort Pledge to specifically recruit train and develop under-represented filmmakers and to develop their careers while also creating a crew reflective and representative of the communities in which the film was made.  ​​

Pi Studios is an award-winning Amsterdam-based entertainment company that connects the dots between broadcasters digital publishers and brands to inspire new audiences. Pi Studios has worked with the BBC Channel 4 Boiler Room WeTransfer Nike The Guardian Heineken LadBible Red Bull Bjork Virgil Van Dijk 88 Rising Lykke Li Max Verstappen and many others.

Run in partnership with Soldats the Crois Pas Qu’on Dort Pledge is our commitment to create a safe diverse and inclusive environment that fosters learning and nurtures a roster of crew and creatives who represent our athletes and their communities. Our program offers professional training and career development to underrepresented filmmakers which has seen 60 young talents progress through roles across our crew, edit and production teams. We have also run workshops masterclasses and mentoring sessions for people at the entry level of filmmaking and run on-set work placements for people who have never worked in a professional crew before. We have also brought on young diverse Parisian creatives to help the film’s visual identity and marketing.

About SRAB FilmsSRAB Films is a Paris-based cinema and audiovisual production company which won a Cannes Palme d’Or and was Oscar-nominated for its 2019 film “Les Misérables.”  Founded in 2015 by Toufk Ayadi and Christophe Barral SRAB is currently diversifying beyond feature films and outside of France.

Directors: Nick Walters & Lou Marillier

Production company: Pi Studios part of WE ARE PI

Co-production company: SRAB Films

Line Producers: Soldats

Supported/Presented by: Nike

Distributor: CGR Events

Soundtrack: Tiakola, Para One, Sam Tiba

Music production: Savoir Faire

Poster photographer: Solène Gün

Poster production: Town Prod