‘Playground’ Director Laura Wandel Sets ‘In Adam’s Interest’ With ‘Anatomy of a Fall,’ Dardenne Brothers Producers, Indie Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
Indie Sales is re-teaming with rising Belgian filmmaker Laura Wandel on her sophomore feature “In Adam’s Interest,” having previously sold around the world her critically acclaimed feature debut “Playground” which premiered at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard.
“In Adam’s Interest” also reunites Wandel with producer Stéphane Lhoest at Belgium’s Dragons Films, and is produced by Delphine Tomson at Les Films du Fleuve, the Dardenne’ brothers banner. Co-producers are Jan de Clercq at Lunanime, who will release the film in Benelux under his distribution company Lumière; and Marie-Ange Luciani’s Les Films de Pierre, the Oscar-nominated outfit behind “Anatomy of a Fall.” Memento will release “In Adam’s Interest” in French theaters.
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A tense social drama, “In Adam’s Interest” follows four-year-old Adam who is suffering from malnutrition and has been taken to hospital following a court’s decision. Lucy, a pediatrics head nurse, authorizes Rebecca, Adam’s mother, to remain with her son despite visiting times having been strictly limited by the judge. When Rebecca stubbornly refuses to leave Adam, the situation becomes complicated. For the child’s sake, Lucy will do all she can to help this mother in distress.
Currently at financing stage, “In Adam’s Interest” will be shooting next summer. The cast will be led by two French stars who are currently in negotiations. Indie Sales will introduce the project to buyers at the Cannes Film Market.
Wandel’s feature debut “Playground” earned unanimous praise upon world premiering at Cannes and went on to be shortlisted for the international feature film race at the Oscars. The heart-wrenching film followed a little girl and her older brother facing school bullying. Wandel had previously directed the short film “Foreign Bodies” which also played at Cannes and revolved around an injured man trying to cope with his disabled body with the help of a physiotherapist.
“‘In Adam’s Interest’ is the confirmation of Laura Wandel’s talent,” said Nicolas Eschbach, co-founder and CEO of Indie Sales. “The script is an extremely smart and gripping dive into a flawed social services system, which is a milieu which Laura has thoroughly researched. The two lead roles are fantastic challenges for first-rate actresses,” Eschbach continued.
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