The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq (2014)

Name: The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 2014-08-27

1h 32m

Running Time

August 27, 2014
Release Date

External Links & Social Media

Network & Production Companies

Plot.

In September 2011 writer Michel Houellebecq briefly disappeared off the face of the earth. Wild rumours began circulating on the Internet that he’d been abducted by Al-Qaeda or aliens from outer space. Some Twitter users even expressed relief that the controversial author was suddenly no longer around. This film now reveals what really happened: Three tough guys variously with impressive hairstyles and bodybuilder physiques carried off the star intellectual, taking him out of the daily stress of dodging autograph hunters and having his flat renovated and bringing him to a beautiful rural underdog idyll, full of dog grooming, bodybuilding demonstrations, junk cars and Polish sausages. But who was to pay the ransom?

Where to Watch.

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Currently The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, VUDU Free, Kanopy, Hoopla

Streaming in:
🇺🇸 United States

Media.

Details.

Release Date
August 27, 2014

Original Name
L'Enlèvement de Michel Houellebecq

Status
Released

Running Time
1h 32m

Genres
Comedy Drama

Last updated: 2025-02-11

Wiki.

The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq (French: L'enlèvement de Michel Houellebecq) is a 2014 French comedy-drama film directed by Guillaume Nicloux, starring Michel Houellebecq, Mathieu Nicourt, Maxime Lefrançois and Luc Schwarz. It tells the story of how the famous author Michel Houellebecq is kidnapped and held for ransom by three men during a promotional tour in 2011.

The film was inspired by a rumour which occurred while Houellebecq was promoting his novel The Map and the Territory. For some time, he appeared to give no signs of life, which made newspapers in France speculate that he had been kidnapped. In reality he only had some trouble with his Internet connection. The film premiered at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival where it played in the Forum section. The film is a Les Films du Worso, Chic Films and ARTE France production.

Nicloux's film Thalasso (2019) also stars Houellebecq in the role as himself and has been described as a follow-up to The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq.