Ryusuke Hamaguchi is set to direct the Paris-based drama "All of a Sudden," featuring Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto.

      Although there had been long-standing rumors about Ryusuke Hamaguchi working in France on a film called Our Apprenticeship, he clarified that the project was largely unsubstantiated. Nevertheless, he is now slated to direct his first feature in France, with Variety reporting that production on All of a Sudden is set to begin soon. The film will feature Virginie Efira (Benedetta, Other People’s Children) and Tao Okamoto. Co-written with Léa Le Dimna, the story is loosely inspired by the published correspondence between Makiko Miyano and Maho Isono, titled You and I – The Illness Suddenly Get Worse. Hamaguchi stated that the correspondence moved him “deeply,” making it the only proposal after Drive My Car that piqued his interest. For the past few years, he has frequently traveled to France to workshop material with local actors.

      All of a Sudden revolves around a Japanese theater director (Okamoto) and a French nursing-home director (Efira) who form a bond over themes of illness and death. Hamaguchi aims “to depict a Paris that differs from the typical clichés associated with the city,” expressing interest in non-touristy areas. He is one of the prominent cinephiles currently making films on a large scale, and in the project's announcement, he conveyed his admiration for French cinema:

      “French cinema has consistently been a significant source of inspiration for me, and for many other Japanese people and filmmakers. Chabrol is notable, but even more so the Nouvelle Vague. The works of Rohmer, Rivette, Godard, Truffaut are obviously important, as well as earlier filmmakers like Grémillon, Becker, Renoir, and Bresson.”

      Additionally, Hamaguchi emphasized his goal of establishing a connection between France and Japan through a method referred to as “humanitude.” He explained, “This is a French approach that has been adopted in Japan and is now implemented in various places there, focusing on putting the human element at the center of care, honoring the dignity of each person.”

      With All of a Sudden being presented at Cannes this month, more updates can be expected soon.