20/09/2010

Shooting kicks off today in Marseilles on Emmanuelle Millet’s debut feature: La Brindille (“The Twig”).

Starring Christa Theret (discovered in Just About Love? [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], nominated for the Best Female Newcomer Cesar 2010 for LOL [+see also:
trailer
interview: Christa Théret
film profile] and currently on screens in The Clink of Ice [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), the film looks at the sensitive social issue of anonymous childbirth. The cast also includes Yohan Libéreau (who was nominated for the Best Male Newcomer Cesar 2008 for The Witnesses [+see also:
trailer
film profile], was lauded at Cannes in Belle Épine [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and has just filmed Voie Rapide with Theret – see news) and Anne Le Ny.

Scripted by the director, the film centres on 20-year-old Sarah, who lives in a hostel with her friend Julie and goes from one casual job to the next. When she finally finds a permanent job in a museum, she realises she is seven months pregnant: a case of pregnancy denial.

Dismissed from the museum after damaging some paintings during a fainting spell, she is also threatened with losing her accommodation and finds herself torn between her sudden condition as a mother-to-be and the working woman’s life she so desires.

Produced by Catherine Bozorgan for Manchester Films and Christine Gozlan for Thelma Films, La Brindille has received a €500,000 advance on receipts from the National Film and Moving Image Centre (CNC), pre-acquisitions from Canal + and Ciné Cinéma, and backing from the PACA region and Sofica La Banque Postale Image.

The six-week shoot will take place in Marseilles until October 29. French distribution will be handled by Ad Vitam, while international sales are still under negotiation.

(Translated from French)