It was nominated for six categories at the 39th César Awards including Best Film and Best Director and Best Actor for Dupontel, winning Best Actress for its co-star Sandrine Kiberlain and Best Original Screenplay.

Later, on the run, he breaks into her home, surprises her attempting a "criminal" abortion by intentionally falling on her stomach from a pile of furniture.

Finally, he offers a deal: he won't reveal anything about his nights if she helps him demonstrate that he's not the barbaric eye-eater who is making headlines around the world.

Dupontel was inspired by 10e chambre, instants d'audience, a documentary by Raymond Depardon in which judge Michèle Bernard-Requin appears.

Dupontel originally intended to make Neuf mois ferme his first English-language film, with Emma Thompson playing Ariane Felder.