French producers Légende Films confirmed that Roman Polanski is moving forward with a new political thriller, J’Accuse.
The film will tell the real-life story of a French-Jewish soldier falsely accused of spying for the Germans in the 1890s.
After being in development for six years, shooting will begin in Paris later this year. Starring as Captain Alfred Dreyfus is Louis Garrel. Jean Dujardin will star as the counter-espionage officer seeking to clear Dreyfus’ name. Mathieu Amalric, Olivier Gourmet, and Polanski’s wife Emmanuelle Seigner will round out the cast.
The script is penned by British writer Robert Harris.
Polanski’s choice of subject matter and timing are sure to strike controversy. Polanski has been evading trial in the US since 1978. He spent a month in prison, then fled the country and has been a fugitive ever since. In May he was also expelled from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Despite that, he has maintained a successful career winning the best-director Oscar for The Pianist in 2003.
