French Exit to film in Montreal and Paris

American director Azazel Jacobs’ comedy-drama French Exit, starring Pfeiffer, will shoot in Montreal and Paris from October.

Based on Canadian novelist Patrick DeWitt’s international bestseller of the same name, the film tells the story of a sixtysomething, penniless Manhattan socialite (Pfeiffer) who decides to move to Paris with her directionless son Malcolm, played by Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea).

Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) production company has acquired the distribution rights to the project for the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and China.

“To work with Sony Pictures Classics is a dream come true for me,” Jacobs said. “As I prepare to embark on production, I am happy and relieved to know that French Exit will ultimately be in their hands.”

SPC added: “French Exit is the fresh, distinctive screenplay we’ve been looking for all year. This promises goldmine performances from Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges. We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with director Azazel Jacobs, a formidable voice in independent film.”

The Canadian/Irish international co-production is produced by film companies Rocket Science, Elevation Pictures, Screen Siren Pictures and Blinder Films. CAA Media Finance and Rocket Science brokered the deal with Sony Pictures Classics.

Montreal has played host to a number of productions in recent months, including the Kevin Hart vehicle Fatherhood, musical biopic Spinning Gold, starring Samuel L. Jackson, and TV series Future Man and The Bold Type.