Keira the concubine

Keira Knightly is set to become a baron's concubine in an adaptation of the historical novel 'Silk'.

Dec 20 2005

Keira Knightley ('Pride & Prejudice') is in talks to star in a film adaptation of Alessandro Barrico's bestselling novel 'Silk'.

Set in Japan in 1861, the film will tell the tale of Herve Joncour, a silk breeder who is forced to travel to the east when an epidemic threatens to wipe out the silk trade in France.

While there, he falls for Helene, the beautiful European concubine of a local baron, and their love blossoms through a series of letters the pair send to each other.

Knightley is set to play the part of Helene, while Michael Pitt ('Last Days', 'The Dreamers') is favourite to bag the role of Herve.

François Girard ('The Red Violin') will direct, with production set to start when Knightley finishes work on the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' sequels next spring.

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