Today brings our first look at Shame, the latest collaboration between Hunger star Michael Fassbender and writer/director Steve McQueen.  Fassbender plays a New Yorker unable to manage his sex life: "After his wayward younger sister moves into his apartment, Brandon’s world spirals out of control."  Carey Mulligan (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps), James Badge Dale (Rubicon), and Nicole Beharie (The Express) also star.Check out photos of Fassbender and Beharie on location after the jump.Here's how Shadow And Act sets up the relationship between the two characters:

"Fassbender plays a fellow by the name of Brandon, described as a 30-something man living in New York, whose addiction to pornography threatens to destroy his romantic life. He meets an 'extremely beautiful,' 'very confident,' black woman, with an 'unwitting sexuality,' who is 'clearly attracted to Brandon.' Needless to say, the black woman is played by Nicole Beharie. The pair apparently date, and eventually develop a relationship, although she is unaware of his inability to connect with a woman on more than a superficial level, thanks to his porn addiction!"

I'm curious to see how the angelic Mulligan fits into all of this.  The original casting report suggested Mulligan might play either Brandon's sister or a co-worker who strikes up an affair with Brandon.  It appears Beharie has assumed the romantic role (Marianne), while Mulligan will play the sister (Sissy).

Shame ranks high on the anticipation list of any fan of dark psychosexual dramas.  (Like me!)  The film should hit UK theaters later this year; no word yet on a domestic release date.

Check out Shadow And Act [via The Criterion Cast] for more set photos.

Here's the synopsis listed in the American Film Market materials:

Brandon (Michael Fassbender, Inglourious Basterds, Hunger, A Dangerous Method) is a 30-something man living in New York who is unable to manage his sex life. After his wayward younger sister moves into his apartment, Brandon’s world spirals out of control.

From director Steve McQueen (Hunger), Shame is a compelling and timely examination of the nature of need, how we live our lives and the experiences that shape us.