‘A Second Life’ Director Is Planning a Hostage Thriller in the Streets of Paris

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Laurent Slama, the French director, might be familiar to you due to his Netflix debut film “Paris Is Us,” a street movie that takes an immersive look at Paris through the eyes of a young woman (Noemie Schmidt from Versailles). Alternatively, you may have come across his second feature, “A Second Life,” which premiered at Tribeca and tells the story of a young woman with hearing difficulties (Agathe Rousselle from Titane) seeking stable employment as preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris get underway.

If you found enjoyment in any of these stories, featuring genuine individuals and places, crafted through the creator’s innovative ‘DIY guerrilla’ method, get ready! Slama is preparing another unique project, true to his distinctive style, for your viewing pleasure.

He shared that he’s developing a new feature during a Q&A session following the screening of “A Second Life” on Tuesday at the 59th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), where the film had its European debut.

This work is being referred to as a “Paris-set thriller filmed in a realistic style,” implying that it’s difficult to distinguish between real individuals and actors on screen. He also stated, “It’s a hostage film.” He did not disclose any cast members and informed THR that the title has yet to be decided at this point.

Laurent Slama, second from the right, at a Karlovy Vary festival Q&A (Courtesy of Georg Szalai)

Inquired about the reason behind his name alteration in the film industry, Slama clarified: “It’s symbolic of wrapping up this phase of my filmmaking journey. Moreover, I desired to incorporate my mother’s name moving forward. Now, I can embark on a fresh chapter.

The name Elizabeth Vogler was an homage to the character Elisabet Vogler, a famed stage actress played by Liv Ullmann who mysteriously ceased speaking in Ingmar Bergman’s film “Persona.

In addition to Alex Lawther, Suzy Bemba, and Jonas Bachan, A Second Life features in its cast. The Hollywood Reporter’s review of the film praises it for skillfully steering clear of typical tropes found in Paris-based dramas, all while effectively utilizing the beauty and charm of the City of Lights.

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2025-07-09 10:24