28/04/2010

Director David Cronenberg will begin shooting his next film A Dangerous Method across German, Swiss and Austrian locations in May.

In trademark Cronenberg style, the film is set to be a dark tale of sexual and intellectual discovery on the eve of World War I where young psychiatrist Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and his mentor Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen) are drawn to the enigmatic Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley). The arrival of a depraved patient, played by Vincent Cassel, adds to the underlying tension.

Christopher Hampton has adapted the film from his play The Talking Cure. Jeremy Thomas’ Recorded Picture Company along with co-producers Marco Mehlitz of Germany’s Lago Film and Marty Katz of Canada’s ProsperoFilm is producing the film.

International sales agents HanWay Films has concluded a multi-territory deal with Universal Pictures International where the latter has picked up the film for distribution in several territories including Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain. HanWay has also pre-sold to Mars (France), Lusomundo (Portugal), Cinéart (Benelux), Odeon (Greece and Romania), Monolith (Poland) and Maywin (Russia), amongst others.

Cronenberg said, “I have long been drawn to the story of erotic daring between these two good doctors and the woman who both divided and defined them. History can only hint at the psychological and physical terrain they opened up, but a film can explore it.”

Thomas said, “Bringing the ideas of Jung and Freud together through their relationship with Sabina Spielrein, as seen by David Cronenberg, will make for an unusual and alluring film for anyone interested in modern thought. I can’t wait to see that movie.”