French filmmaker Arnaud Desplechin is currently working on a new film titled The Thing That Hurts, co-produced by Wes Anderson. Nexus Point News has learned that filming will take place from April 7 through May 4 in Charleroi and Brussels, and that Dominique Blanc, Noémie Merlant, and J.K. Simmons are set to join the cast.
The story centers on a group of patients of a renowned American psychotherapist who worked in Paris and recently passed away. These patients come together to reflect on their relationships with her. Beyond that, little is known about the plot so far, though the film is described as a “bittersweet comedy.”
The cast of The Thing That Hurts already included Alfre Woodard, Felicity Jones, Léa Seydoux, Jason Schwartzman, John Turturro, and Golshifteh Farahani. We learned that Dominique Blanc, Noémie Merlant, and J.K. Simmons are also set to join.
French actress Noémie Merlant rose to prominence following her debut in 2008 and was quickly recognized as an emerging talent, earning, among other accolades, a César nomination for Le ciel attendra.
Dominique Blanc, for her part, is a firmly established figure in French cinema, having won four César Awards for her performances in Milou en mai, Indochine, Ceux qui m’aiment prendront le train, and Stand-by.
J.K. Simmons is widely known as a major name in Hollywood, known to many as the Daily Bugle editor-in-chief J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man films. He has received numerous awards throughout his career, including an Academy Award for his role in the 2014 film Whiplash.
Arnaud Desplechin is widely regarded as a key figure in European arthouse cinema. Films such as A Christmas Tale, Kings and Queen, and My Golden Days received critical acclaim and were frequently featured at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2015, he won a César Award for Best Director.
The film will be shot largely in Belgium, with Charleroi and Brussels serving as its primary locations. This aligns with the project’s financing, which is partly supported by the Belgian fund Wallimage. CG Cinéma is also backing the production. Desplechin co-wrote the screenplay with Kamen Velkovsky, with Wes Anderson attached as co-producer.
While an official release date has yet to be announced, a premiere in 2027 seems likely. Given Desplechin’s long-standing relationship with the Cannes Film Festival, there is a strong chance the film will debut there.
