Kevin Kline, Maggie Smith to Star in Horovitz Directorial Debut

By: Caryn Robbins May. 07, 2013

Variety reports that Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline, Jane Birkin and Dominique Pinon are set to star in the comedy drama MY OLD LADY. The project will be a big screen adaptation of the stage play by Israel Horovitz, who will make his feature film directorial debut.

Production on the film, from Protagonist Pictures, is set to begin on location in Paris on September 9. The final version will be presented to international buyers at next year's Cannes.

Kline will take on the role of Mathias, described as a "down-and-out New Yorker, who travels to Paris to liquidate a huge, valuable apartment he has inherited from his estranged father. In Paris, Mathias discovers a refined old lady Mathilde, played by Smith, living in the apartment with her daughter Chloé (Birkin). Mathias discovers that Mathilde and his father were lovers for more than 50 years."

Rachael Horovitz ("About Schmidt") will co- produce along with Raphael Benoliel ( "Les Miserables"), Nitsa Benchetrit ("The Black Waters of Echo's Pond") and David Barrot ("Eyes Wide Open").

Among Israel Horovitz's screenwriting credits are "The Strawberry Statement," winner of the Prix de Jury at Cannes in 1970, the comedy "Author! Author!", which starred Al Pacino, and Istvan Szabo's film "Sunshine," the winner of the European Film Award for best screenplay. His many stage plays include "The Indian Wants the Bronx," and "Park Your Car in Harvard Yard."