03/12/2007

Shooting has been underway in Paris for a week now, on the fantastical thriller L’occupation (“The Occupation”), the second feature by Pierre Trividic and Patrick Mario Bernard, the directing duo who attracted attention in 2003 with Dancing.

Adapted from Annie Ernaux’s eponymous novel about a woman who crosses over into the realm of illusion when she becomes obsessively jealous of her ex’s new partner, the film stars Dominique Blanc (2001 Cesar for Best Actress and Cesar for Best Supporting Actress in 1991, 1993 and 1999), Danish actor Peter Bonke and Cyril Guei.

Written by the two directors - Trividic being an acclaimed screenwriter (2007 Cesar for Best Adaptation for Lady Chatterley [+see also:
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film profile], set for release on December 19) - L’occupation tells the story of a woman, liberated by her divorce after 18 years of marriage, who loosens ties with her lover of six years. But when the lover announces that he has decided to live with another woman, heartache and jealousy take over, to a terrifying degree.

This obsession plagues and "occupies" the mind of the abandoned woman, who goes to ridiculous lengths in an attempt to identify her lover’s new girlfriend: Internet searches, strolls around Paris in the hope of bumping into her and situations dreamed up in an attempt to drive away her rival. Indeed, her raging curiosity gives an insight into the motivations behind crimes of passion.

Produced by Patrick Sobelman for Ex Nihilo, L’occupation has a budget of around €3m, including an advance on receipts from the National Centre for Cinematography (CNC) and €486,000 in financial support from the Ile-de-France region for a nine-week filming schedule.

Ad Vitam will distribute the film domestically and Films Distribution is handling international sales.

(Translated from French)