Montreal-based SevillePictures has signed on as Canadian copoducer of Laurent Cantet's long-delayed HeadingSouth (Vers Le Sud), joining France's Haut et Court. Work on theproject, announced at Cannes 2003, has been held up by political upheaval in its key location of Haiti.International sales agent Hengameh Panahi of Celluloid Dreams told ScreenInternational the film is aiming to shoot in January 2005.

Adapted by Cantet and RobinCampillo from the novel by Haitian Dany Laferriere, the psychological dramafollows three middle-aged women, two American, one Canadian, as they travelabroad in an effort to forget their amorous disappointments. CharlotteRampling, who has been attached since the film's announcement, has been joinedby veteran Quebecois actress Louise Portal (The Barbarian Invasions). Casting is pending on the third lead.

As it happens, Campillo'sHaut et Court-produced debut They Came Back (Les Revenants), announced at the same time, is premiering at Toronto this year.