French director Mia Hansen-Løve, known for her acclaimed films “Things to Come” and “One Fine Morning,” is set to bring the life of pioneering English writer and feminist philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft to the big screen. The upcoming period drama, titled “If Love Should Die,” will delve into the life and times of the 18th-century visionary, who is often regarded as one of the founding figures of feminist philosophy.
Hansen-Løve, who is both writing and directing the film, aims to capture the essence of this pivotal era and the life of a woman who has largely been overlooked by cinema. “My ambition is to capture with as much acuity and truth as possible this pivotal era and the life of a woman that cinema has never before looked at,” Hansen-Løve said in a statement. She added that while Wollstonecraft is an iconic figure in England, she remains relatively unknown in France, which adds to the director’s interest in the project. “Making a film about a figure who is too predictable, or too famous, has never interested me. I am attracted to characters engaged in a quest, devoid of certainties. The souls of artists, no doubt, but I am inspired by the most fragile, the most vulnerable among them.”
The film is set to begin shooting in 2025, with locations spanning the United Kingdom, France, Scandinavia, and Portugal. This international backdrop aims to reflect the broad influence and reach of Wollstonecraft’s ideas, which continue to resonate today.
Backing the production is the art house streaming service Mubi, along with Arte France Cinéma. Mubi’s sales arm, The Match Factory, will handle worldwide sales. The film is co-produced by a diverse group of production companies, including Caspian Films (Georgie Paget and Thembisa Cochrane), Les Films Pelléas (David Thion and Philippe Martin), Our Films (Lorenzo Mieli), and Norway’s Mer Film.
“If Love Should Die” follows Hansen-Løve’s recent works, including “One Fine Morning,” an autobiographical drama starring Léa Seydoux, and “Bergman Island,” featuring Tim Roth and Vicky Krieps. Mubi, which released “One Fine Morning” in the U.K. and Ireland, expressed their enthusiasm for the new project. “We are honored to be working with Mia again,” the company said in a statement. “As great admirers of Mia’s work, this will be the third film we’ve collaborated on with her, and we’re looking forward to bringing Mary Wollstonecraft’s extraordinary and pioneering life to the big screen for the first time through ‘If Love Should Die.'”
The film’s synopsis provides a glimpse into its narrative focus: “On the eve of the French Revolution, an impoverished young Englishwoman makes the bold decision to lead her life according to the ideals of the enlightenment.” This storyline promises to explore the challenges and triumphs of Wollstonecraft’s life, shedding light on her contributions to feminist thought and her enduring legacy.
Hansen-Løve has been contemplating a project on Wollstonecraft for several years, driven by a desire to portray characters who are on a quest and devoid of certainties. Her previous films have garnered significant acclaim, with her debut “All is Forgiven” winning the Louis Delluc Prize for best first film in 2006 and being nominated for the César for best first film. Her sophomore effort, “Father of My Children,” won the Jury Special Prize at Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. She continued to receive accolades with “Things to Come,” starring Isabelle Huppert, which won several awards, including the Silver Bear at Berlin in 2016. Hansen-Løve made her debut in competition at Cannes in 2021 with “Bergman Island.”
Mubi’s involvement in “If Love Should Die” underscores the company’s commitment to supporting auteur-driven cinema. The streaming service, founded by London-based cinephile Efe Cakarel, has been expanding its reach beyond its core streaming business. Mubi is also producing Jim Jarmusch’s anticipated film “Father Mother Sister Brother,” starring Adam Driver, Tom Waits, Mayim Bialik, and Cate Blanchett. Additionally, the company acquired several high-profile movies from this year’s Cannes competition, including Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance,” which it will release in multiple territories.
With “If Love Should Die,” Mia Hansen-Løve is set to bring a fresh and nuanced perspective to the life of Mary Wollstonecraft, a figure whose ideas continue to inspire and challenge us. The film promises to be a significant addition to the canon of feminist cinema, offering a deep and thoughtful exploration of a woman who dared to live according to her ideals.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety
