Gaumont's international sales president Hugo Bergson-Vuillaume told Moving Pictures, "We are in advanced discussions with a few studios."  Although Gaumont was partnered with Columbia for The Fifth Element, Bergson-Vuillaume listed the four principal studios in talks as: Disney, Columbia, Warner and Fox, noting that distribution is the main talking point and that it seemed less likely to go to Warner. Gaumont has also said in the past that in any deal on Joan of Arc it will look to retain control. 

While the sales prexy says a signed deal at Cannes is "impossible to predict because it's a bit complex", the film will go ahead in pre-sales. Budgeted at about $50 million, the pic is scheduled to start shooting in June in Eastern Europe and Normandy. Milla Jovovich, Besson's future bride, has the eponymous role. 

Although Besson's films – which are always English-language – are essentially low-risk propositions, generating worldwide interest, Gaumont's decision to do a repeat American deal speaks to their progressive attitude towards the future. 
Underlining its desire to chart new territory, the Gallic giant also has an Australian film in development. To be shot in English, Me, Myself will be helmed by first-time director Pip Karmel. "One hundred percent Gaumont," according to Bergson-Vuillaume, the pic should begin shooting this year and will be finished for a 1999 release. 

Meanwhile, business is booming at the box-office and on the Bourse. The recent success of The Dinner Game, which has taken in $22.8 million locally in its first three weeks, has inspired confidence on the market with Gaumont stock rising 5.9%  
on Monday. 

The Dinner Game has also spawned interest from Steven Spielberg.  Bergson-Vuillaume confirmed that Gaumont is having "very advanced talks with Dreamworks". Though a co-production would be conceivable, Bergson-Vuillaume says the primary interest is,  "for the story. It will most likely be a cessation of rights." 

Among Gaumont's other Cannes profferings, buyers will get a chance to look at 20 minutes of Hanuman on Tuesday. Only three minutes of the Frederic Fougea-directed story of a heroic monkey and an archaeologist were seen at the AFM. 
Though the company has a relatively light schedule with only four films for sale, Bergson-Vuillaume has his hands full with the Besson project. "We are very concentrated on Joan of Arc. Things are moving much faster than we thought." 
Nancy Tataglione