Emotional Distress: Bertrand Bonello Begins Production on “La Bête”

Our friends at Cineuropa inform us that Bertrand Bonello has begun production on La Bête – his ninth feature film that will have had to reset a couple of times mainly due to the unfortunate passing of Gaspard Ulliel. Production begins today for just over a month in France. Written by Bonello and Guillaume Bréaud, and freely inspired by The Beast in the Jungle by Henry James, this is set in the near future where emotions have become a threat. Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will plunge her into her past lives and rid her of all strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had always known him. Unless there is complex add-ons in post-production, our money is on a Palme d’Or Cannes comp berth.

Starring Léa Seydoux and supported by George MacKay, will surely find out if there are any supporting players in the very near future. Produced by Les Films du Bélie’s Justin Taurand is producing while co-producer partners include Arte France Cinéma, My New Picture and Xavier Dolan’s prod house Sons of Manual. Kinology is handling international sales. Bonello latest film Coma was selected for the NYFF.