Swann Arlaud, recently seen as Sandra Hüller’s lawyer in “Anatomy of a Fall,” and Woody Norman, who appeared alongside Joaquin Phoenix in 2021 crowdpleaser “C’mon C’mon,” are set to lead the cast of “Sukkwan Island.”
Ruaridh Mollica, who turned heads in this year’s Sundance following his lead turn in “Sebastian,” and Alma Pöysti, who was recently Golden Globe-nominated for Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves,” will also star in the film, being directed by Vladimir de Fontenay, marking the French filmmaker’s first feature since his Cannes-bowing “Mobile Homes” in 2017.
Set to start shooting in Norway in the coming weeks, “Sukkwan Island” is based on the semi-autobiographical novella by American author David Vann, part of his 2010 collection “Legend of a Suicide.” The story follows a haunted young man’s travels to a wild and secluded Island to reconnect with his father. Ten years before, they shared a harrowing and life altering experiencethat transformed their relationship.
Paris-based banner Haut et Court, which has owned the rights to the book for a decade, is producing the English-language feature, and has drawn on support from other members of pan-European production alliance The Creatives. Alongside Haut et Court, co-producers on the project include Maipo Film (Norway), Versus Production (Belgium), Good Chaos (U.K.) and Aurora Studios (Finland).
The film, which is not expected to be at the European Film Market in Berlin, already has several territory pre-sale deals, with Curzon having acquired U.K. rights and the distribution arm of Versus taking Belgium. Haut et Court will release in France.
Matt Western served as U.K. casting director on the project.
Woody Norman is represented by Paradigm, Sylvia Young Agency, and HJTH. Alma Pöysti is represented by Actors in Scandinavia.
