Gérard Lanvin stars as the elder Vidal, with Tchéky Karyo as Serge Suttel. Dimitri Storoge portrays the young Vidal in the flashback sequences.
Released in 2011, (originally titled Les Lyonnais ) is a gritty French crime drama directed by Olivier Marchal, a former policeman known for his realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld. The film is based on the true life of Edmond "Momon" Vidal , the leader of the notorious "Gang des Lyonnais" that dominated French organized crime in the early 1970s. Plot and Narrative Structure A Gang Story (2011)
Portrayed through sepia-toned flashbacks, the film tracks Vidal’s rise from a poor Roma camp to becoming a legendary armed robber alongside his childhood friend, Serge Suttel . Their criminal career begins with a simple arrest for stealing cherries and escalates into high-stakes bank heists. Gérard Lanvin stars as the elder Vidal, with
Olivier Marchal , whose background in law enforcement adds a layer of authenticity to the procedural and violent scenes. The film is based on the true life
Now nearing 60, Vidal (played by Gérard Lanvin) is retired and devoted to his family. However, his peace is shattered when Serge is arrested again. Driven by an old-school code of honor, Vidal orchestrates a prison break, only to realize Serge has become a much more dangerous and compromised man than the friend he once knew. Key Details
Reviewers often compare its grand, family-oriented crime aesthetic to The Godfather , though some critics noted the plot follows traditional gangster tropes. Les Lyonnais (2011)
The film uses a dual-timeline narrative to explore themes of loyalty, redemption, and the inescapable nature of one's past: