By MICHAEL GINGOLD
The adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s novel rolls later this spring.
Variety reports that Matt Smith (LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, DOCTOR WHO) and Morfydd Clark, who broke out in SAINT MAUD, have the leads in STARVE ACRE. Written and to be directed by Daniel Kokotajlo of the BAFTA-nominated drama APOSTASY, it’s produced by House Productions, with Cornerstone handling worldwide sales. According to the trade, “Set in their family estate, Starve Acre, in rural 1970s England, Richard [Smith] and Juliette [Clark] find their idyllic family life disrupted when their son Ewan starts acting strangely. The formerly happy couple grow farther apart when Richard buries himself in local folklore–including the myth that an ancient oak tree set on their estate possesses phenomenal powers–while Juliette seeks comfort in their local community. Just when it seems the couple may reconnect, ‘dark and sinister forces’ find their way into the family home and their attention is diverted by an unexpected discovery.
“Daniel is one of the most exciting filmmakers working today,” says Tessa Ross, who’s producing with Juliette Howell and Emmy Duffy, “and we’re thrilled to be bringing his adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s extraordinary novel to the screen. STARVE ACRE is already a genre-defining modern classic–Daniel’s singular vision and this exceptional cast bring great depth and strength to this evocative story.”
