Sibyl

Source: Cédric Sartore

Virginie Efira in ‘Sibyl’

France’s mk2 Films has acquired international rights to French director Justine Triet’s drama Sibyl, starring Virginie Efira as a psychotherapist, who becomes obsessed with one of her patients who is a young, up and coming actress, played by Adèle Exarchopoulos.

The production is Triet’s third feature after tragi-comedy In Bed With Victoria which opened Cannes Critics’ Week in 2016 and also starred Efira, who won France’s best actress César for her performance.

In this new collaboration, Efira plays the titular character of Sibyl, a jaded psychotherapist who is attempting to return to her first passion of writing.

Her newest patient is a troubled, rising actress – played by Palme d’Or winning Blue Is The Warmest Colour star Exarchopoulos - proves to be a tempting source of inspiration.

It is a busy period for Efira who will also hit the big screen in Paul Verhoeven’s Italian nun drama Benedetta, previously titled Blessed Virgin, next year.

Further members of the starry Sibyl cast include Gaspard Ulliel (It’s Only the End of the World, Saint Laurent), Niels Schneider (Gemma Bovary, Heartbeats) and Sandra Hüller (Toni Erdmann).

Paris-based mk2 Films will premiere first footage at the AFM and Screen can reveal a first look image above.

“Justine Triet is not afraid to shine a light into the dark corners of the mind and to use touches of humour to do so,” said mk2 Films managing director Juliette Schrameck. “It is so rare to come across female characters written like this. They are resoundingly modern and full of life.” 

Sibyl is produced by Les Films Pelléas and was shot on location in Paris and on the Italian island of Stromboli. It is scheduled to be completed for the second quarter of 2019. Le Pacte will distribute in France.