NEW ROMAN POLAŃSKI'S FILM IN CANNES LINE-UP
Based on a True Story, the latest film by director Roman Polański, will screen out of competition in official selection at the upcoming 70th Cannes International Film Festival. The film was co-financed by the Polish Film Institute.
Based on a True Story
Roman Polański’s latest feature is based on “D’après une histoire vraie,” a novel by Delphine De Vigan, published in France in 2015. Based on a True Story is the third film by Roman Polański to be supported by the Polish Film Institute, and the second to be co-produced by Monolith Films.
“This is the story of a writer who greatly resembles the author. She too has written a book that became a bestseller, in which she painted a portrait of her suicidal mother with a borderline personality. Her success leads to a series of book signings that leave the writer completely exhausted. To top it off, she starts receiving anonymous letters, accusing her of exploiting her mother’s death for fame and of slandering her family. One day she meets L., a women of a similar age. They become friends. Delphine confides in L., who shows her a level of compassion and understanding like no one else. L. moves in with Delphine and takes care of her. She even begins replying to emails sent to Delphine. How far will L. go? Has she come into Delphine’s life to fill a void, or to wreak havoc? Vigan brilliantly portrays the toxic relationship between the two women that leads to one gradually gaining control of the other,” reads a statement on the website of Sonia Draga, the Polish publisher of De Vigan’s book.
The Cast & Crew
Starring Eva Green and Emmanuelle Seigner, the film shows a stand-off between two strong female personalities competing for supremacy and even struggling for their lives. The script was written by Roman Polański and Olivier Assayas, and the film was lensed by Paweł Edelman. The leading producer is Paris-based WY Productions.
The film was co-financed by the Polish Film Institute within the framework of the new initiative for supporting minority co-productions. Two other films financed within this support scheme: Scaffolding by Matan Yair and Frost by Šarūnas Bartas were selected for this year’s Cannes.
1900 feature film submissions for this year’s Cannes fest
This year’s Cannes festival saw over 1900 feature film submissions. The festival’s official selection includes films from 29 countries. The Main Competition lineup of the 70th Cannes IFF features 18 films, including the latest works by Michael Haneke, Sofia Coppola, and Yorgos Lanthimos. Films screening in Main Competition will be judged by an international jury led by director Pedro Almodovar.
The 70th Cannes International Film Festival runs from May 17 through May 28, 2017.
Further details are available at www.festival-cannes.com.
Translated by Karolina Kołtun