'I'm not trying to imitate Americans'

In France they all want to call it The French James Bond," said writer and director Jerome Salle of his latest film Largo Winch.

"The American movie makers do a good job, but I am a Frenchman. I'm not trying to imitate Americans because that's the worst idea you can have."

Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Miki Manojlovic, Tomer Sisley and Gilbert Melki, the film is based on the written works of Jean Van Hamme but the original script written by Salle.

In 2001, Largo Winch was made into a television series which aired in France, Germany and Canada to mixed reviews and Salle, his mood turning from bubbly to slightly irritated admitted to never having seen it saying he had only heard mixed reviews.

But Salle was keen to talk about his struggle to make the movie, adaptation of the Belgian novel and comic book series, "his own" while still staying true to the main character — Largo Winch, nee Largo Winczlav.

Following the murder of his father, Largo inherits the chairmanship of a large company which he then travels the world to try and protect. But in preserving the company, he also tries to create his own identity.

And it seems coffee is all it took to convince actress Kristen Scott Thomas to get involved — and maybe location, location, location.

"We live in the same area and she knew two of the producers. It was very easy. We had coffee."