Veteran actor Jackie Shroff is set to star in the movie ‘Slow Joe,’ which will be directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Sandrine Bonnaire. The collaboration promises to bring a unique vision to the screen, with both Shroff and Bonnaire expressing their enthusiasm for the project.
Jackie Shroff, in a statement, expressed his excitement about working with Bonnaire, saying, “I am thrilled to have Sandrine Bonnaire on board to direct ‘Slow Joe.’ Her exceptional talent and vision will undoubtedly elevate the film to new heights. Working alongside such a respected filmmaker is an honor, and I am eager to bring Slow Joe’s extraordinary journey to audiences worldwide.“
Sandrine Bonnaire is equally passionate about the project, highlighting the inspiring nature of the story.
“Joseph Manuel Da Rocha’s story is moving and extraordinary, demonstrating that it’s never too late to overcome adversity and achieve your dreams. I am truly excited to be a part of this film with its talented cast and cannot wait to begin filming,” she said.
‘Slow Joe’ is a Singapore-France-India co-production in which Shroff will portray the late Indian musician Joseph Manuel Da Rocha, known as Slow Joe. Da Rocha’s life story is one of transformation and resilience. Born in Mumbai, he was a former heroin addict and drug dealer who was disowned by his family. At the age of 50, heartbroken and seeking a new path, he moved to Goa and cleaned up his life.
The turning point in Da Rocha’s life came in 2007 when he met Lyon-based French musician Cedric de la Chapelle during a trip to Goa. At that time, Da Rocha, a 64-year-old poet and musician, was making ends meet as a hotel room broker. His powerful voice and a cappella songs captivated de la Chapelle, who recorded some of his music.
The film will be a multilingual biopic, featuring dialogues in English, French, and Konkani. It will be produced by Sreyashii Sengupta for Darpan Global (Singapore) and co-produced by Cedric de la Chapelle and Boccon-Gibod for Horizon (France). Olivier Rohde, known for his work on French blockbusters like “The Intouchables” and “Heartbreaker,” will serve as executive producer through his company Filming France, alongside Souvikk Dasgupta for Oriizon Global (India).
With such a compelling story and a talented team behind it, ‘Slow Joe’ is poised to be a remarkable film that highlights the power of music and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity.
