Duo 'Monkey' around

BinocheRamirezEdgar Ramirez and Juliette Binoche will star in up-and-coming French helmer Marion Laine's romantic drama "A Monkey on my small Shoulder." "Monkey," the industry working title, is created by Christine Gozlan's Thelma Films and Catherine Bozorgan's Manchester Films, who formerly teamed on Bertrand Blier's "The Clink of Ice." Nathanael Karmitz' Paris-based Mk2 will co-produce and handle French distribution and worldwide sales. Occur the South of France, pic activates two surgeons whose passionate relationship is switched upside lower by an unpredicted pregnancy. "It is a melodrama coping with universal styles," stated Karmitz, adding he was excited to determine Ramirez and Binoche being an onscreen couple. "The truth that it happens within the medical world also brings a extra layer towards the film which should lure worldwide audiences." Laine, who formerly helmed Sandrine Bonnaire starrer "An Easy Heart," co-composed the script with Anne Le Ny. Pic will begin lensing on March. 24 in Marseilles be going onto film in Latin America. Binoche lately wrapped David Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis," while Ramirez, who gained an Emmy nom this season for his perf in Olivier Assayas' "Carlos," will next come in "Clash from the Leaders 2." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com