French actress Emmanuelle Béart has been cast alongside Harrison Gilbertson and Rachael Blake in Australian S&M film My Mistress.
The film marks Stephen Lance’s directorial debut (after directing short films such as Yolk and music videos by Powderfinger and Silverchair) and is based on a script he developed with writer Gerard Lee (All Men Are Liars, Top of the Lake).
“It's important that my first film give audiences an artistic experience that is both visually and emotionally exciting, and I couldn't be happier with the worldâ€class calibre of cast and crew who are joining us on this amazing journey,” Lance said in a statement announcing the casting.
“Emmanuelle is a fearless actress who has portrayed so many incredible women. Her emotional complexity is perfect for this role. Equally, Harrison is such a brilliant actor with an already impressive career, and he'll bring something special to this film,” he added.
Gilbertson (Beneath Hill 60, Conspiracy 365) will play a “vulnerable teenage romantic” who begins “a beautiful and strangely innocent affair” with Béart’s character – a French S&M mistress. Béart has appeared in films such as Mission: Impossible, 8 Women and Nelly & Monsieur Arnaud.
My Mistress is being produced by Leanne Tonkes and Steve Kearney. Robyn Kershaw is executive producer. It will be filmed by cinematographer Geoffrey Simpson, edited by Jill Bilcock, while the costume designer is Angus Strathie.
Shooting is set to commence later this month on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.