Isabelle Huppert will star in Abus De Faiblesse, while Joan Cutrina is currently shooting Alpha in Spain.

A self-destructive, hemiplegic film director enters into a dangerous friendship with a flamboyant crook, in Catherine Breillat’s Abus De Faiblesse which will star Isabelle Huppert. The thriller is based on Breillat’s real-life dealings with a notorious hustler who shook down celebrities in Europe and Hollywood. Jean-Francois Le Petit is producing for Flach Film with Arte France Cinéma on board as co-producer. Shooting is expected to commence in the second half of this year.

Barcelona currently hosts the shoot for Joan Cutrina’s Alpha, which tells the story of a former prisoner, who tries to find a new life in contemporary Barcelona. The story is based on a screenplay by Toni Solé, with Carlos Bardem, Alex Garcia, Miguel Fernández, Irene Montalà and Jon Kortajarena lined up to star. Jordi Rediu, Joan Cutrina and Norbert Llaràs are jointly producing for Genco Films and Zeppelins Integrals Produccions . TV3 provided financial backing.

Principal photography has also just started on French comedy Paulette, which centres on a group of elderly people who turn to drug dealing to get themselves out of financial difficulties. Co-produced by Légende Films and Gaumont, the latter also handles international sales and French distribution.  The comedy stars Carmen Maura, Bernadette Lafont and Dominique Lavanant. Shooting is scheduled to wrap at the end of February and a release is planned for this October.