Nadia Tereszkiewicz Stars in Eco-Thriller Souveraines

French-Finnish actress Nadia Tereszkiewicz has joined the cast of Souveraines, an environmental thriller that marks the feature film directorial debut of acclaimed filmmaker Rémi Allier. The film is being produced by Grand Huit, with production currently underway.

Background

Tereszkiewicz has emerged as one of France's most sought-after young actors over the past few years. The 29-year-old won the César for Best Promising Actress in 2023 for her leading role in Les Amandiers, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi's semi-autobiographical film about the Nanterre-Amandiers theatre troupe. She has since appeared in high-profile projects including Mon Crime directed by François Ozon and the historical drama Rosalie, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

Her career began modestly with smaller roles and television work. She appeared in the Canal+ series Possessions and took on supporting parts in films before landing more substantial roles. What distinguishes Tereszkiewicz is her background in dance, which she pursued seriously as a young person before transitioning to acting at age 18. This movement training has informed her approach to performance, giving her characters a physical expressiveness that critics have noted.

Key Details

The Director's Track Record

Rémi Allier brings significant credentials to his feature debut. He previously won a César for his 2017 short film Little Hands, which was later shortlisted for Academy Award consideration. This recognition marks him as a filmmaker with both artistic merit and international recognition.

The Story

Souveraines follows a mother and daughter bound by fierce loyalty as they become involved in eco-terrorism activities within a larger cell. The film appears to tackle environmental activism through a personal lens, exploring how ideology and family bonds intersect. The eco-thriller genre has gained traction in recent years as filmmakers examine contemporary concerns about climate and environmental destruction through dramatic narratives.

The project is being handled by Grand Huit, a French production company known for backing ambitious and distinctive films. Their involvement suggests the production has secured meaningful backing and resources.

What This Means

Tereszkiewicz's participation in Souveraines continues her trajectory toward more complex and challenging roles. Rather than pursuing conventional commercial projects, she has consistently chosen work from auteur directors and within distinctive genres. Les Amandiers established her as capable of carrying a film with emotional depth. Her subsequent choices in Mon Crime and Rosalie showed willingness to explore unconventional characters and narratives.

With Souveraines, she is working with a first-time feature director, which represents a different kind of risk. However, Allier's previous success with short films and his César recognition suggest he has developed a distinctive voice. For emerging directors, securing an established actor like Tereszkiewicz can help attract financing and distribution attention.

"I find that I need to have a genuine connection with a script, that it corresponds to a real desire at that moment," Tereszkiewicz has said about her approach to choosing roles.

The film also reflects broader trends in European cinema. Environmental themes have become increasingly central to dramatic narratives as filmmakers grapple with contemporary concerns. An eco-thriller centered on a mother-daughter relationship offers both personal stakes and larger thematic resonance.

Tereszkiewicz continues to balance art house cinema with international projects. She is also serving as an ambassador for Dior's fashion and beauty divisions, maintaining a presence across entertainment and fashion industries. Her choice to pursue challenging acting roles suggests she views this work as her primary focus, despite other professional commitments.

The production timeline for Souveraines has not been publicly detailed, nor has a planned release date been announced. French films typically require several months for post-production work including editing, sound design, and color grading before becoming ready for festival submission or theatrical release.