Olivier Assayas, who will script the film, is the writer and director of Clouds of Sils Maria, which starred Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart, Personal Shopper, for which he was awarded the Palme d’Or this year in Cannes, and Carlos, a mini-series that examines the life of Venezuelan revolutionary Carlos the Jackal.
Delphine De Vigan’s novel, on which the film is based, tells the story of a writer whose novel – a portrait of her mother’s suicide – becomes a bestseller. Her success and the constant contact with readers leave her drained. In addition, she begins to receive anonymous letters accusing her of profiting from her mother’s death and defaming her family.
One day she meets L., a woman her own age who is fascinated with her novel. A friendship is born, and soon L. begins to take care of Delphine and tend to all her affairs. Over time, L. assumes total control over the author's life and their friendship becomes increasingly toxic.
Based on a True Story (D'Après une Histoire Vraie), which has sold over 170 thousand copies in France, will be published in Polish in September 2016 by the publishing house Sonia Draga. It is slated to be released in English in Spring 2017.
Details about the cast and production dates are not yet know. Roman Polański is still working on a film about the Dreyfus Affair, a project that has been in the works for several years.