Projects in genres: Drama

Synopsis

Set in 1862, the high-flying tale of pilot Amelia Wren, a wealthy young widow, and James Glaisher, an ambitious scientist as they mount a balloon expedition to fly higher than anyone in history. This is a journey to the very edge of existence, where the air is thin and the chances of survival are slim. As their perilous ascent reveals their true selves, this unlikely pair discover things about each other - and themselves - that help them find their place in the world they have left behind. Official Selection Telluride Film Festival 2019 - World premiere Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Gala Presentations Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2019 - Headline Gala

Synopsis

A fresh and distinctive adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel 'David Copperfield'. A haunting semi-autobiographical tale of a boy who is sent away by his stepfather after his mother dies but manages to triumph over incredible adversities. Set in the 1840s, chronicling the life of its iconic title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it. From his unhappy childhood to the discovery of his gift as a storyteller and writer, David’s journey is by turns hilarious and tragic, but always full of life, colour and humanity. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Special Presentations - World premiere Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2019 - Opening Night Gala - European premiere

Synopsis

In 2013, progressive incoming Pope Francis and conservative outgoing Pope Benedict debate the best path forward for the Catholic Church, in this surprisingly funny chamber piece. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Special Presentations

Synopsis

Ripped from the pages of Peter Carey’s Man Booker prize winning novel True History Of The Kelly Gang, this thrilling, bold adaptation charts the rise and fall of Australia’s original Mad Max; a coming of age tale about a defiant rebel sworn to wreak vengeance and havoc on the British Empire. Set against the badlands of colonial Australia where the English rule with a bloody fist and the Irish endure, Ned Kelly discovers he comes from a line of Irish rebels called the Sons of Sieve, an uncompromising army of cross dressing bandits immortalised for terrorising their oppressors back in Ireland. Nurtured by the notorious bushranger Harry Power and fuelled by the unfair arrest of his mother, Ned Kelly recruits a wild bunch of warriors to plot one of the most audacious attacks of anarchy and rebellion the country has ever seen. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Galas - World premiere

Synopsis

Amid the struggle for survival in a sprawling Indian metropolis, a red rose brings together three tales of impossible loves. Love between two flower sellers. Love between two women. Love of an entire city for its Bollywood stars. Official Selection Venice Film Festival 2019 - Critics' Week - World premiere Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Contemporary World Cinema Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2019 - Special Presentation

Synopsis

Georgie Jutland (Kelly Macdonald) is barely holding it together these days without a drink. Once a nurse, now she’s trapped in the backwater fishing port of White Point with local crayfish baron, Jim Buckridge (David Wenham) and his two sons, whose dead mother she can never hope to replace. One hazy morning she sees the lone figure of Lu Fox (Garret Hedlund) appear in the mists of the bay. A long time ago he was a dirt musician, but now he survives as a poacher – an unwise choice given Jim’s iron-grip on the local fishing trade. Georgie is instantly drawn to Lu, and the pair begin an intense affair. What Georgie doesn’t realise is that the Foxes and the Buckridges have a long, murky history. Fearing Jim’s fury and haunted by his tragic past, Lu flees north to Coronation Island, a place dear to Georgie’s heart. Discovering Lu has fled, Georgie decides to follow him north with the unlikely help of Jim. Based on the critically acclaimed novel by iconic Australian writer Tim Winton, Dirt Music is a tale of love and redemption, set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Australian West. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Special Presentations - World premiere

Synopsis

Grace and Edward have been married for 33 years. When their son, Jamie, comes home to visit them in the fading seaside town where he grew up, Edward tells him that he plans to leave Grace the next day. HOPE GAP tracks the unravelling of three lives, through stages of shock, disbelief and anger, to a resolution, of sorts. It’s tender, it’s funny and above all, true. There are no easy answers, no simple paths to redemption, but in the end, it is a story of survival. A story of hope. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Special Presentations - World premiere Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2019 - Headline Gala - European premiere

Synopsis

The art world and the underworld collide in this elegant and erotic neo-noir thriller. Set in present day Italy, irresistibly charismatic art critic James Figueras hooks up with provocative and alluring American Berenice Hollis. He’s a classic anti-hero in the making with a charm that masks his ambition, whilst she’s an innocent touring Europe, enjoying the freedom of being whoever she wishes. The new lovers travel to the lavish and opulent Lake Como estate of powerful art collector, Joseph Cassidy. Their host reveals he is the patron of Jerome Debney, the reclusive J.D. Salinger of the art world, and he has a simple request: for James to steal a Debney masterpiece from the artist’s studio, whatever the cost. As the couple spends time with the legendary Debney, they start to realise that nothing about the artist nor their mission is what it seems. But James is a man of deep, lurking ambition and he will do anything, from arson and burglary to murder, in order to further his career… Official Selection Venice Film Festival 2019 - Out of Competition & Closing Night Gala - World premiere Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Gala Presentations

Synopsis

An emotional detective story spread over two continents and a half century. Beneath the film's stunning and pulsing musical revelations burn the horror of a war and the lost souls extinguished from history. As Europe erupts into World War II, 9-year-old Martin comes to love his new brother Dovidl, a recent Polish-Jewish refugee to London of the same age who is a highly gifted violin prodigy. But hours before Dovidl’s debut concert performance at the age of 21 he vanishes without a trace, causing shame and ruin for their family. A lifetime later, a young violinist shows a 56-year-old Martin a stylistic flourish that could only have been taught by Dovidl. This triggers Martin’s odyssey overseas in search of his lost brother, one that will lead to surprising revelations for both men and for Helen, the woman who stood between them. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2019 - Gala Presentations - World premiere

Synopsis

At 46, Dubliner Colm has a comfortable life: a managerial job in the city’s docks, two healthy teenage children, and a kind, loyal wife in Claire. After the death of his father, a destructive figure, Colm’s emotional life cracks open, and his downward spiral continues when he is made redundant. Drinking heavily and unable to confide in Claire, Colm finds himself drawn to Jay, a 19 year-old who dabbles in prostitution. Their sexual encounters and tentative friendship become Colm’s only solace from the pressures he feels - but this recklessness puts his family-life at risk. Masculinity, familial dysfunction and the very nature of love come under the microscope in this nuanced and powerfully affecting drama from the director of DAPHNE and the writer of ADAM AND PAUL and GARAGE, centred upon a stunning lead performance by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. Official Selection Venice Film Festival 2019 - Orizzonti - World premiere

Synopsis

Christmas in Dickensian London. Curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three ghostly spectres. Their mission: his redemption.

Synopsis

Bernard is annoyed and flabbergasted at being called the black sheep of the family for nothing more than his lifestyle choices and drinking habits. Not happy with being labelled a boozer and a liability he is seizing this moment to unload his outrage on anyone who will listen, if it takes him all day.