21/02/2006

Final preparations are underway for Jacques Rivette¹s Ne touchez pas à la hache (lit. "Don't Touch the Axe"), the shooting of which will begin in Paris in mid-March. Boasting a cast that includes Jeanne Balibar, Guillaume Depardieu, Michel Piccoli and Bulle Ogier, the film is based on Honoré de Balzac's novel "The Duchesse de Langeais", adapted for the screen by the director and his usual accomplices, Pascal Bonitzer and Christine Laurent. The second of Balzac's "History of the Thirteen trilogy", between "Ferragus" and "The Girl with the Golden Eyes", "The Duchesse de Langeais" takes place during the Restoration in a society ruled by hypocrisy, appearance and money.

General Montriveau (Depardieu) falls in love with the Duchesse de Langeais (Balibar), who is separated from her husband. Flirtatious, she encourages the general's advances without conceding to them, hiding behind religious excuses. Urged on by his friends, the suitor decides to abduct her by force, all the while musing on a terrible form of revenge only to finally think better of it. And now it is the duchess who falls for the general and flees. Having changed his mind about her, he discovers that she has escaped abroad, to live in a monastery. Aided by The Thirteen, a secret society, the general is determined to find her at all costs. This story of unrequited love, a cocktail of passion and resentment, previously inspired a 1942 film by Jacques de Baroncelli from a screenplay by author Jean Giraudoux.

Produced by Martine Marignac for Pierre Grise Productions, Ne touchez pas à la hache has Italian co-producers in Cinemaundici (which also co-produced Rivette's last film, The Story of Marie and Julien with Pierre Grise). Arte is also on board as a production partner and the film received support from the Ile-de-France region.

Shooting will last 8 weeks in and around Paris and in Italy. Ne touchez pas à la hache will be released in France by Les Films du Losange.

(Translated from French)