Directed by commercial and music video helmer Adam Smith, ‘Trespass Against Us’ has been pre-bought by Australian distributor Umbrella Entertainment from Protagonist Pictures.
The deal was negotiated by Umbrella consultant and Coffee & Cigarettes director Eduardo Panizzo, Protagonist’s Dave Bishop, and Umbrella’s Jeff Harrison. Smith’s feature debut, led by Michael Fassbender, is set across three generations of the rowdy Cutler family, who live as outlaws in some of Britain's richest countryside - hunting hares, ram-raiding stately homes and taunting the police. Struggling to retain a way of life fast becoming extinct, Chad ends up caught between his father's archaic principles and trying to do right by his kids. Meanwhile, the full force of the law is finally catching up with him.
Also set to feature in the upcoming film is Irish actors Brendan Gleeson (Calvary) and Killian Scott (Love/Hate) along with Lindsey Marshall (The Hours), Rory Kinnear (Skyfall) and Sean Harris (Prometheus).
Speaking about the deal, Panizzo said: “This acquisition represents Umbrella’s desire to strengthen their stronghold in the theatrical distribution landscape. We are thrilled to be working with not only Protagonist Pictures but also Film4 and Potboiler Productions on such an exciting project.”
Producers on the film include Gail Egan (Vera Drake, The Constant Gardner), Andrea Calderwood (Last King of Scotland, Ratcatcher) and Alastair Siddons (Turn it Loose), who also provides the script. It will be executive produced by Tessa Ross of Film4, Zygi Kamasa at Lionsgate, Frederick W. Green and Joshua Astrachan of Animal Kingdom, and Nigel Williams. Music for the film comes from The Chemical Brothers who will write and perform the original score.
Filming is expected to get underway in the UK in the coming months. ‘Trespass Against Us’ is developed in association with Film4 with funding from The BFI and LipSync.
