Duo 'Monkey' around

BinocheRamirezEdgar Ramirez and Juliette Binoche will star in up-and-coming French helmer Marion Laine's romantic drama "A Monkey in my Shoulder." "Monkey," the working title, is produced 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 triggers two surgeons whose passionate relationship is switched upside lower by an unforeseen pregnancy. "It's a melodrama dealing with universal styles," mentioned Karmitz, adding he was excited to find out Ramirez and Binoche becoming an onscreen couple. "The fact it takes place inside the medical world also brings a extra layer for the film that ought to lure worldwide audiences." Laine, who formerly helmed Sandrine Bonnaire starrer "A Simple Heart," co-composed the script with Anne Le Ny. Pic will start lensing on March. 24 in Marseilles go onto film in Latin America. Binoche recently wrapped David Cronenberg's "Cosmopolis," while Ramirez, who acquired an Emmy nom this year for his perf in Olivier Assayas' "Carlos," will next are available in "Clash in the Leaders 2." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com