Gerard Barrett’s first US project ‘Brain On Fire’ has gained momentum with news that Broad Green Pictures have joined Charlize Theron’s Denver & Delilah and Foundation Features as producers and financiers.
The film is based on Susannah Cahalan’s bestselling memoir Brain On Fire: My Month Of Madness and follows a young woman who mysteriously starts having seizures and hearing voices. As weeks go by and she rapidly descends into insanity, she moves inexplicably from violence to catatonia. Following a series of outbursts, misdiagnoses and a prolonged hospital stay, a lucky last-minute intervention by one doctor finally gives her a diagnosis and hope to rebuild her life.
Barrett adapted the screenplay and will also direct and co-produce. Dakota Fanning was initially cast to play the lead but was recently replaced by Chloe Grace Moretz due to scheduling conflicts. Other actors cast include Thomas Mann and Jenny Slate.
As well as producing and financing, Broad Green will also distribute the film in the US while studio partner Mister Smith Entertainment will continue to sell international rights after launching the film at Berlin’s EFM in February, according to Deadline.
A 2013 winner of the Rising Star IFTA, ‘Brain on Fire’ will be Barrett’s third film after ‘Pilgrim Hill’ and ‘Glassland’ – which was joint winner of Best Feature Film at the 2014 Galway Film Fleadh and was nominated for six awards at this year’s IFTA Film & Drama Awards, including Best Script and Best Director for Barrett.
‘Brain On Fire’ will be produced by Charlize Theron, Beth Kono, and A.J. Dix for Denver & Delilah Films and Rob Merilees and Lindsay Macadam for Foundation Features. Shooting is due to commence in Vancouver on July 13.