 The development of the film was problematic , with threats to shut down the production , lack of financing , and ultimately a return to work . The project first faltered in February 2005 , when the film 's producer Humbert Balsan committed suicide . Tarr reported receiving word of his producer 's death two days before shooting was scheduled to begin in Bastia , Corsica . Balsan 's death led to significant financial difficulties for the production . The film had been established as a co @-@ production with French , German and Hungarian financing . Tarr 's Budapest @-@ based production company T. T. Filmműhely were to provide the Hungarian funding for the project , while Balsan had secured the French and German financing for the film by warranting a loan from the French bank Coficiné . Upon learning of his death , the bank withdrew its support for the production , which was then postponed . 
