The news from the Hollywood Reporter is that Nanette Burstein (Going the Distance) will direct Unforgiving World a remake of a French film with a script written by writer/director Nicole Holofcener for Focus Features.

While I very much liked Going the Distance (more than most people), I am a bit confused as to why Holofcener is not directing the film. The woman is clearly a talent as she constantly shows through her film the latest being Please Give which won an Independent Spirit Award this past February.

Here’s the description of the film:

a newlywed couple working at the same architectural film end up vying for the same life-changing position. The film shows the different outcomes in parallel storylines depending on who gets the job.

I know that she struggles to get the financing for her films and that she takes writing jobs for hire (this one is clearly one of those), but still. Why couldn’t she direct this? I’m not taking anything away from Burstein but it’s not like Holofcener doesn’t have a track record making solid films about relationships. That’s exactly the movies she makes.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America