Mendelsohn, Frecheville join Fontaine pic

MendelsohnPARIS -- Ben Mendelsohn and James Frecheville, a few the topliners this season breakout Australian thriller "Animal Kingdom," have grew to become part of the cast of Anne Fontaine's untitled British-language debut, which starts to lense Wednesday. Aussie up-and-comers Sophie Lowe ("The Slap") and Xavier Samuel ("The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"), and vet thesp Gary Sweet ("Small-time Gangster") also sport inside the cast. As formerly introduced, Naomi W and Robin Wright topline inside the Australia-set drama romance, which is founded on Doris Lessing's novel "The Grandmas." W and Wright star as two long-term pals who manage a forbidden and passionate affair with almost every other peoples sons. British scribe Christopher Hampton, whose credits include "Atonement" and "Dangerous Liaisons," composed the variation. Pic is produced by French shingles Cine@ and MonVoisin, and Australian shingle Hopscotch Features, that's possessed by eOne. France's Gaumont can be a co-producer. Gaumont's worldwide sales force, headed by Cecile Gaget, will probably be shopping the pic to customers at Berlin. Gaumont started pre-selling the pic within the AFM, and contains already closed Europe (Pathe) and Canada (Remstar). Gaget mentioned her team reaches discussion with Italian and German customers. Hopscotch will release the pic australia wide. Fontaine's 2009 Audrey Tautou starrer "Coco Before Chanel" was nommed for starters Oscar and four BAFTAs. John Hopewell brought with this report. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com