Valerie Donzelli’s Venice Competition Film ‘At Work’ Boarded by Kinology (EXCLUSIVE)

Valerie Donzelli‘s anticipated film “At Work” (“A Pied d’Oeuvre”), one of the three French movies set to compete at this year’s Venice, has been boarded by Gregoire Melin‘s international sales banner Kinology.

Adapted from Franck Courtès’s autobiographical novel by the same name, “At Work” is headlined by Bastien Bouillon (“The Night of the 12th”), who stars alongside Virginie Ledoyen (“Just the Two of Us”), André Marcon and Marie Rivière.

“At Work” tells the true story of a successful photographer (Bouillon) who gives up everything to devote himself to writing and is confronted with poverty for the first time. “This radical account, blending clarity and self-depreciation, portrays the journey of a man willing to pay the ultimate price for his freedom,” reads the synopsis.

Kinology has acquired worldwide sales to “At Work” and will introduce it to buyers at the Venice Film Festival.

Donzelli described “At Work” as “the portrait of a man who leaves behind a comfortable life to devote
himself to writing, eventually slipping into precarity.”

“This radical and deeply personal choice moved me profoundly. I wanted to stay true to the honesty of his journey, its simplicity and discipline,” Donzelli continued.

Donzelli, who co-wrote the script with Gilles Marchand (“The Night of the 12th”), said the film’s protagonist is “upright, gentle, and determined.” As such, “Bastien Bouillon quickly emerged as the obvious choice, with his quiet strength and understated presence,” she said, adding that the film ultimately “questions the value we place on a life driven by a silent, unspectacular, yet unstoppable passion: the need to create, no matter what.”

Bouillon is a rising French actor who won best male newcomer at the Cesar Awards in 2023, and was last seen in Cannes’ acclaimed opening film “Leave One Day.”

Donzelli, an actor-turned-filmmaker is rolling off “Just the Two of Us,” a psychological thriller revolving a toxic love, starring Virginie Efira and Melvil Poupaud. The movie won last year’s Cesar Award for best adapted screenplay for Donzelli and Audrey Diwan, out of four nominations. Donzelli broke through internationally with her second directorial outing, “Declaration of War” which was inspired by her personal story.

“At Work” is produced by Alain Goldman, the well-established producer of “La Vie en Rose” and “An Officer and a Spy,” at Pitchipoï Productions.

Diaphana will release the film in France, while Teodora will distribute it in Italy.