April is here and with it brings filming of Jamie’s upcoming movie Jadotville, a war thriller set in the 60’s and based on real events. Here’s what we know so far.

HISTORY: The Siege of Jadotville took place in September 1961, during the United Nations intervention in the Katanga conflict in Congo-Léopoldville in Central Africa when a company of Irish UN troops were attacked by troops loyal to the Katangese Prime Minister Moise Tshiombe. The lightly-armed Irish soldiers resisted Katangese assaults for six days as a relief force of Irish and Swedish troops unsuccessfully attempted to reach the Irish force besieged in Jadotville.

Although the outnumbered Irish company was eventually forced to surrender after ammunition and supplies were exhausted, they were held as prisoners of war for almost a month but none were killed. The Katangese and their white mercenaries suffered heavy losses. The siege marked the first time since the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) that Irish Army soldiers went into battle against another nation’s army.

SYNOPSIS: Jadotville tells the true story of the siege of 1961. An Irish battalion of 150 members who were under the command of Commander Patrick Quinlan (Dornan) 3,000 Congolese Soldiers, led by French and Belgian mercenaries working for mining companies. The film also stars Guillaume Canet  giving life to the French commander who tried to defeat Quinlan and his men.

PAT QUINLAN: Dornan plays commander Pat Quinlan, who led the Irish troops against the siege of Congolese who, in spite of its limited resources, managed not to lose even one hundred of those who he was responsible for.

PRODUCTION: The original film will be directed by Rychie Smyth a director who has worked with bands like U2, Bon Jovi and The Verve and written by Kevin Brodbin (Constantine). Jadotville starts filming in mid-April in Ireland and South Africa. This will coincide with Netflix’s original airdate plans to stream the movie, of which they have bought the rights to. We’re optimistic Jamie Dornan and Guillaume Canet will give life to the French commander who tried to defeat Quinlan and his men. More recently, Mark Strong was confirmed to star in the movie however we have no confirmation on which character he will play.