This was originally intended as an English-language film under the title "The Chaise-Longue", to be directed by Joseph Losey. It was an original screenplay by Duras by which Losey claimed to have been enthralled; however, he and Duras fell out over casting and the project was shelved. Duras eventually made the film herself, in French and after some rewriting. Losey called the final movie "a film I hate as much as I loved the original screenplay".