Streaming service Netflix has released the first teaser trailer for Gentle Monster, a new drama starring French actress Lea Seydoux as a mother facing a devastating family crisis.
The story centers on Lucy, a professional pianist played by Seydoux, who learns that her husband Philip has been accused of violence against children. Horrified by the thought that her loved one could commit such acts, Lucy searches for a way to protect her young son. Seydoux previously starred in Blue Is the Warmest Colour, No Time to Die, and It's Only the End of the World.
Austrian filmmaker Marie Kreutzer wrote and directed the feature following her work on Corsage, The Ground Beneath My Feet, and We Used to Be Cool. Speaking to publication The Hollywood Reporter, Kreutzer explained that a newspaper article inspired her to highlight an issue that occurs far more often than people realize, noting that perpetrators can often be acquaintances or family members.
Scandal and production challenges
According to Kreutzer, she learned about the legal case involving actor Florian Teichtmeister while working on the project. The scandal surrounding Teichtmeister, who appeared in Corsage, nearly caused the director to abandon the film entirely. Kreutzer said she realized audiences would draw parallels with the real-world events, but she chose to finish the project and deepen its story.
The drama features a supporting cast that includes French cinema icon Catherine Deneuve of Dancer in the Dark. German actress Jella Haase, known for Suck Me Shakespeer and My Fairy Troublemaker, also stars alongside Sylvester Groth of Inglourious Basterds, Laurence Rupp of Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, and Dark actor Anton Rubtsov.
Festival debut and soundtrack
Gentle Monster premiered as part of the main competition line-up at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie currently holds a 60 percent approval rating on review website Rotten Tomatoes.
French singer and songwriter Camille composed the original music and songs for the film. Camille is widely known as one of the lead vocalists for the musical collective Nouvelle Vague.
