By Michael Fleming NEW YORK (Variety)

In a film more like "Monster's Ball" than her upcoming James Bond picture "Die Another Day," Halle Berry (news) will play a rape victim in "October Squall," a drama that will shoot next year.

Berry's character keeps her rapist's baby and becomes a loving mother. When he reaches puberty, she begins to suspect the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.

The film is based on a true story. Novelist Jason Starr ("Tough Luck") wrote the script under the supervision of Berry and director Lyndon Chubbuck ("The War Bride"). Berry will also serve as a producer.

Chubbuck said Berry approached him after seeing "The War Bride," which like "Monster's Ball" depicts a woman struggling to rise above her circumstance. (Berry won an Academy Award this year for her role in "Monster's Ball.") "She called to say she wanted to do a movie with me, and I pitched this one, which happened in an area I came from, near Baltimore," Chubbuck said.

Financing of the film is still being arranged, he said.

"With all the equity money that has been offered to us because of Halle, I'm 100% confident I'll be shooting this next year," he said, though he added that the picture might align with a studio.

Variety: 1/29/04