French director Olivier Assayas has set his next movie, titled “Spiritual World,” as a supernatural drama starring Kristen Stewart. The production, which is currently in development with producer Olivier Delbosc, is scheduled to begin filming in France and Germany between February and April 2027. The project is co-financed by the Franco-German network Arte France.
Cast and Production Details for Spiritual World
The film features an international ensemble cast led by Kristen Stewart, who plays a clairvoyant young woman named Ada. The supporting cast includes Vicky Krieps, Riley Keough, Wagner Moura, Barbara Sukowa, and Niels Schneider.
The project reunites Stewart with Assayas, following their previous collaborations on 2015’s “Clouds of Sils Maria” and 2016’s “Personal Shopper.” Stewart’s performance in “Clouds of Sils Maria” earned her a Cesar Award for best supporting actress, marking the first time an American actress won the honor. The production is being handled by Curiosa Films, with Arte France Cinéma serving as a co-producer.
Creative Direction and Supernatural Themes
Assayas has described the project as existing in a similar vein to his 2016 supernatural drama “Personal Shopper.” In an interview earlier this year with The Film Stage, Assayas noted that he had written a script in the style of “Personal Shopper” prior to his work on the political thriller “The Wizard of the Kremlin.”
Arte France has positioned the film within the lineage of the director’s previous explorations of the supernatural, specifically citing “Personal Shopper” and the HBO mini-series “Irma Vep.” In the latter, the character Mira suggests that movies act as a portal to a spiritual world. Assayas has long maintained a professional interest in the paranormal, focusing on the boundary between what can be explained and what is experienced.
Assayas’ Recent Work and Career Trajectory
“Spiritual World” follows the director’s recent political thriller, “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. That film starred Jude Law as Vladimir Putin and Paul Dano as the spin doctor Vadim Baranov.
Assayas’ filmography is marked by a history of switching between international and French projects. His career includes the espionage thriller “WASP Network,” starring Penélope Cruz and Gael García Bernal, and the television adaptation of “Irma Vep” with Alicia Vikander. The casting for his latest project brings together performers known for varied international roles, including Krieps, who gained international recognition for “Phantom Thread,” and Keough, known for her work in “Daisy Jones & The Six.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Production
When will filming for Spiritual World begin? Production is scheduled to take place in France and Germany from February through April 2027.
Who is starring in the film? The film stars Kristen Stewart as the lead, Ada. The supporting cast includes Vicky Krieps, Riley Keough, Wagner Moura, Barbara Sukowa, and Niels Schneider.
What is the plot of Spiritual World? The film follows a haunted, clairvoyant young woman who experiences mysterious premonitions. It is described by Arte France as a return to the supernatural and fantastical themes found in the director’s previous work.
Is this the first time Kristen Stewart and Olivier Assayas have worked together? No, this is their third feature film collaboration. They previously worked together on “Clouds of Sils Maria” and “Personal Shopper.” Stewart also made a cameo appearance in Assayas’ HBO series “Irma Vep.”
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