Nymphomaniac now looks certain to be Lars Von Trier´s next feature project, with production slated to begin in the summer of 2012. Von Trier is currently researching the project, which will follow “the erotic life of a woman from the age of zero to the age of 50.” The Danish director´s business partner and producer Peter Aalbæk Jensen (and co-founder of Zentropa) has confirmed that the film will shoot in the English language. “We hope to start shooting next summer,” he said. “This is following the normal schedule of Lars - a film every second year.”
The film´s subject matter (in particular, its treatment of youthful sexuality and graphic depiction of intercourse) could cause problems with censors. However, the Danish auteur is reportedly planning two versions - one a hardcore cut likely to feature scenes of penetration and a softer version that can be shown in more mainstream cinemas. Despite the likely graphic sexual content, the project is understood to be primarily dialogue-driven. The film´s storyline will unfold in eight chapters. These have such titles as “The Western and Eastern Church” and “The Little Organ School.”
“He (Von Trier) is really keen on doing this thing. I think that this will be a very amusing film also, very erotic but very funny also,” Peter Aalbæk Jensen commented. “I guess we have something which could generate some press attention. How pornographic it will be, that we have to see in terms of what financing dictates.” Like most of von Trier´s recent films, Nymphomaniac is set to shoot outside Denmark. “That´s the burden of coming from a shitty little country,” Peter Aalbæk Jensen joked. “We have to put the financing together in bits and pieces and shoot where people are generous enough to support Lars. We always have been shooting in Sweden or in Germany and have had some extremely valuable backing from (regional funds) Film I Vast and North-Rhine Westphalia. We will either shoot or do post-production in one of
these regions.”