Lily James (“The Iron Claw,” “Baby Driver”) is set to star in and produce “Photo Booth,” the directorial feature debut of Australian sibling filmmakers Spencer and Lloyd Harvey.
The film — described as a “gripping emotional thriller that confronts the most primal choices we make about love, ambition, and building a family” — is heading to Cannes, with HanWay launching international sales and UTA Independent Film Group selling for North America.
James will play the lead role of Jean Bouchet, a world renowned performance artist who has decided to put her career before having children, and Raffey Cassidy (“The Brutalist,” “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”) in the role of Millie, a young free-spirited woman very much still figuring life out. The story sees Bouchet’s marriage to artist husband Ben fracture when he confesses to a one-night stand with Millie, now unexpectedly pregnant. But she makes a radical choice — she invites Millie into their home, offering financial support in exchange for the baby.
Cathy Konrad (“Girl Interrupted,” “Walk the Line”) and her Tree Line Films, James & Gala Gordon’s Parodos Productions (upcoming “Swiped” and “Cliffhanger”), will partner with Australian based Carver Films, Sarah Shaw and Anna McLish (“Relic,” “Run Rabbit Run”).
“Within 10 minutes of sitting down with the script for ‘Photo Booth,’ my mind was already turning — I wanted to be on the set filming this, and help in any way to get this project off the ground,” said Konrad, whose body of work also includes “Kids,” “3:10 to Yuma” the “Scream” franchise. “Mike Nichols often said, “A movie is like a person, either you trust it or you don’t”. Spencer and Lloyd Harvey’s work on the page landed my trust. It’s a bold narrative within a complete and authentic package. They trust their characters, and with that the story unfolds naturally, but with unexpected twists and turns.”
“Photo Booth is the story we needed to tell, one deeply rooted in the discussion of legacy and the choices that define us,” said the Harvey brothers. “As siblings and filmmakers, we’ve always been drawn to emotionally complex, character-driven stories that sit at the intersection of self-expression and identity. This film is deeply personal, and having the incredible Lily James as our fearless Jean — we know will be electric. We can’t wait for the world to see what she does.”
Added HanWay CEO Gabrielle Stewart: “’Photo Booth’ is a total page turner where intimate relationships are laid bare with razor-sharp dialogue. Spencer and Lloyd Harvey’s strong vision for the film has attracted the brilliant Cathy Konrad to produce along with Lily James and Gala Gordon who, like many of us, have connected very strongly with the story and its characters navigating the big decisions in life.”
