In a confident gesture, IFC has picked up the distribution rights to the as-yet-unproduced “Sils Maria” (aka “Since Maria“) the Switzerland-set project from French auteur Oliver Assayas set to star Juliette Binoche and Mia Wasikowska. IFC acted as a distributor on Assayas’ “Summer Hours,” and will bring his latest “Something in the Air” to theaters this year. It appears that they have as much hope for this forthcoming contemplative tale as we do, particularly given the pedigree of his cast.
“Sils Maria” will come from a script written by Assayas, which he based on a Binoche-like character — a middle-aged actress obsessed with examining her past choices and questioning what she has accomplished. Wasikowska will play Binoche’s assistant.
No shoot date yet — presumably Binoche will have to finish stomping around the set of “Godzilla” — but this looks like another promising, unique, character driven piece from Assayas. And yeah, we’ll be looking for this at Cannes in 2014. [Deadline]