The first look image of Saoirse Ronan and Kate Winslet in Francis Lee’s romance-drama ‘Ammonite’ has been revealed by Screen Daily.
The feature film is produced by See-Saw (‘Lion’, ‘The King’s Speech’) and Lady Macbeth producer and Kerry native Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly. Francis Lee (‘God’s Own Country’) has written and will direct the story inspired by the life of fossil hunter Mary Anning. Set in 1840s England, the film will chart the intense relationship that develops between Anning (Winslet) and a young woman (Ronan) sent to convalesce by the sea.
IFTN reported on the film back in February when it pre-sold to Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA), Lionsgate and Transmission for key international markets.
The project has been highly sought after since its announcement in December and has since secured a number of new territory deals for Germany/Austria (Tobis), France (Pyramide), Japan (Gaga), Switzerland (Ascot Elite), and worldwide airlines (Echo Lake Distribution) through See-Saw’s in-house sales arm Cross City Films.
CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic rights. SPWA has taken a number of international territories including the Middle East, LatAm, Asia, Scandinavia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, and Italy. Lionsgate acquired the rights in the UK while Transmission Films has secured Australia/NZ.
Simon Gillis, See-Saw’s COO for Film, previously told Deadline:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with SPWA, Lionsgate, and Transmission to bring this achingly beautiful love story to the big screen. Francis is an incredibly special filmmaker and has attracted extraordinary talent and world-class distribution to Ammonite.”
The film is being co-financed by BBC Films and the BFI, with Mary Burke, Zygi Kamasa, Rose Garnett and Simon Gillis of See-Saw Films executive producing. See-Saw developed the drama with the BFI and BBC Films. Gillis brokered the pre-sales on behalf of Cross City Films.
Principal photography began on ‘Ammonite’ in March.