Main points
- Jean Reno presented the novel “Escape”, which recalls the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian occupiers.
- The novel tells the story of the heroine Emma, who infiltrates a camp in Siberia to collect evidence of Russian crimes.
Actor Jean Reno wrote a novel about kidnapped Ukrainian children / Collage by Channel 24 / Photo by Getty images
Famous French actor and writer Jean Reno presented his new novel “Escape” (L'Évasion), which mentions the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian occupiers.
The idea for the book came after he learned about the real stories of Ukrainian children who were illegally taken out of the country. The novel was published in early April by the French publisher XO Éditions.
When I heard about this story (in 2024, 19,546 abducted Ukrainian children were identified by several NGOs working on this topic, – 24 Channel), I was extremely shocked. It seemed crazy to me – to kidnap these children in order to brainwash them. I am not involved in politics, I wanted to make a novel out of it,
– the writer said in an interview with the French TV channel Télé 7.
The plot centers on Emma, a former masseuse recruited by the French foreign intelligence service DGSE, who travels to Siberia to infiltrate a so-called “rehabilitation camp” for Ukrainian teenagers and document evidence of Russian crimes.
Jean Reno has released a new novel “Escape”: watch the video online
What did Jean Reno say about Ukraine?
In 2018, the actor visited Ukraine during the filming of the film “In Cold Blood,” a joint Ukrainian-French project.
The film was shot in various locations, including the Carpathians (on Lake Synevyr), in Kyiv, as well as in New York and Canada. Recalling the trip, Jean Reno said that the Carpathians made a strong impression on him. He noted the incredible landscapes. The actor especially emphasized the hospitality of Ukrainians – their friendliness and warm attitude towards the film crew.