GROZNY, Russia (AP) -- French actor Gerard Depardieu will star in a drama about a Chechen man who seeks revenge for the killing of his son.

Chechnya, a southern Russian province, has been in the spotlight since it emerged that the suspects in April's Boston marathon bombing are ethnic Chechens.

The predominantly Muslim province was devastated by two separatist wars with Moscow, and its current Kremlin-backed ruler has been widely criticized for human rights violations.

The ruler, Ramzan Kadyrov, has been a gracious host to Depardieu, giving him an expensive apartment in the Chechen capital, Grozny, after the actor got Russian citizenship in January.

Depardieu said Tuesday that the drama, titled "Turquoise," will be directed by French filmmaker Philippe Martinez and will also star British actress Elizabeth Hurley.