Here’s a first look at on-the-rise thespians Tahar Rahim and Corinne Yam in Lou Ye‘s upcoming romantic drama “Love And Bruises” — formerly known by the evocative title of “Bitch.”
As the original title suggests, Ye’s a helmer not adverse to controversy. Having been banned twice by the Chinese government for 2000’s “Suzhou River” and for 2006’s “Summer Palace,” this latest project doesn’t sound like any sort of compromise either. An adaptation of a banned Jie Liu Falin biography, the story follows Matthieu, a French man who has his Chinese lover follow him to Paris setting off an intense love addiction.
After his breakout turn in Jacques Audiard‘s “A Prophet,” Rahim has refreshingly taken on an eclectic batch of projects starring in Kevin Macdonald‘s recently released “The Eagle” and with upcoming roles in Ismael Ferroukhi‘s Si Kaddour Benhabrit biopic “Free Men” and Jean-Jacques Annaud‘s “Black Gold.” Quite frankly, the more we see of Rahim the better, with this feature being his first lead role after the acclaimed Gallic prison epic. Here’s the full synopsis:
Hua, a young teacher from Beijing, is a recent arrival in Paris. Exiled in an unknown city, she wanders between her tiny apartment and the university, drifting between former lovers and recent French acquaintances. She meets Matthieu, a young worker who falls madly in love with her. Possessed by an insatiable desire for her body, he treats Hua like a dog. An intense affair begins, marked by Matthieu’s passionate embraces and harsh verbal abuse. When Hua determines to leave her lover, she discovers the strength of her addiction, and the vital role he has come to play in her life as a woman.
Shooting on “Love & Bruises” took place in Paris and Beijing early last year with a premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival on the cards. [WildBunch via IONCinema]