Isabelle Adjani, who was last seen in the Hollywood remake of Diabolique in 1996, is coming back to to the big screen in a French film that will shoot next year after year's finished acting on the Parisian stage.

The star of Queen Margot and Camille Claudel, and former Cannes jury president, will take the starring role in La Repentie, Laetita Masson's next project that looks virtually assured of a Cannes slot in 2002.

The acclaimed French film-maker's three previous films ' Love Me, A Vendre and En Avoir Ou Pas -- were festival favourites. They also won acclaim for his regular acting muse, Sandrine Kiberlain, who won a Cesar for best actress for En Avoir just this year.

ARP Selection -- which co-produced and distributed blockbuster action/comedies Taxi and Taxi 2 along with Luc Besson -- is producing La Repentie.