Doctor Who star Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark will star in supernatural horror film Starve Acre.
From BAFTA-nominated Apostasy writer-director Daniel Kokotajlo, Starve Acre explores “inherited trauma and loss in a world ruled by supernatural folklore.”
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Andrew Michael Hurley.
BAFTA and Emmy nominee Smith (“House of the Dragon”) and BAFTA Cymru winner Morfydd Clark (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”) become a disconnected couple in “brooding and stylistic modernity.” play worrying about her son scary.”
Richard (played by Smith) and Juliette (Clark) are set on their family estate, Starve Acre, in rural England in the 1970s and find their idyllic family life disturbed when their son Ewan starts acting strangely. The once happy couple continue to grow apart as Richard delves into local folklore – including the myth that an ancient oak tree on their estate possesses phenomenal powers – while Juliette seeks solace in her local community.
Just when it looks like the couple might be reunited, “forces of darkness and sinister” find their way into the family home and their attention is diverted by an unexpected discovery.
Starve Acre is currently in pre-production. Filming will begin later this spring in the UK, with sales beginning on EFM.
Following a successful collaboration with Kokotajlo on the writer/director’s debut feature film, Apostasy, Cornerstone will once again be responsible for worldwide distribution.
Tessa Ross (’12 Years a Slave’), Juliette Howell (‘Brexit: The Uncivil War’) and Emmy Duffy (‘Rocks’) are producing the House Productions film co-developed with BBC Film and financed by Access Entertainment with BBC Film and the BFI (funded by the National Lottery).
“Daniel is one of today’s most exciting filmmakers and we are thrilled to bring his adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s extraordinary novel to the screen,” said Ross. “‘Starve Acre’ is already a genre-defining modern classic – Daniel’s unique vision and this exceptional cast bring great depth and strength to this moving story.”
Cornerstone’s Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder commented, “Daniel’s immersive cinematic vision for ‘Starve Acre’ is breathtaking and we are delighted to continue our collaboration with him.”
Access Entertainment’s Danny Cohen added: “Access Entertainment is delighted to co-fund ‘Starve Acre’ with the BBC and the BFI. It is a brilliant screenplay by the wonderfully talented young writer/director Daniel Kokotajlo and continues our dynamic feature film partnership with Tessa Ross and House Productions.”
BBC Film’s Rose Garnett said: “We are delighted to support Daniel on his bold second feature film ‘Starve Acre’ and to continue the relationship with BBC Film that began with his stunning debut Apostasy. Daniel is a remarkable voice in British filmmaking.”
Smith is represented by B-Side, Maison 2, UTA and attorney Darren Trattner, Clark from Curtis Brown, UTA, Mosaic and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Kokotajlo from 42MP.
House Productions is owned by BBC Studios.
