Emmy Award winner Annabel Jankel (Tell It to the Bees [+lire aussi :
critique
bande-annonce
interview : Annabel Jankel
fiche film]) is working on a new feature titled Desperate Journey. The picture is a thriller set in the burlesque world of 1940s Paris, penned by two-time Oscar nominee and Il Postino director Michael Radford. The announcement was first reported by Variety.

Based on the true story of Freddie Knoller, the plot follows a young man forced to flee Vienna as Nazi hysteria takes hold. Knoller’s captivating story has been widely recognised around the world, and he was honoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The cast is toplined by Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen (who portrays Knoller, and was previously seen in the series 1899 [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
fiche série] and Borgen), Clara Rugaard (Verona, I Am Mother) and Til Schweiger (The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Inglourious Basterds [+lire aussi :
bande-annonce
fiche film]). Other roles are played by Sienna Guillory, Steven Berkoff, Fernando Guallar, Hugo Speer, George Sear, Barney Harris, Niamh Cusack, Ed Stoppard, Nathaniel Parker and Louis Ashbourne Serkis.

Speaking about the project, Jankel described it as “a tremendous journey of personal growth”, which gave her the opportunity to work “with the extraordinarily talented and creative cast and crew in Budapest. […] Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen excited us daily with his performance as he grew into and fully embodied the unique character that was Freddie Knoller,” she added.

Meanwhile, producer Warren Derosa said: “Freddie faced extreme situations and emerged with an understanding of life that could benefit us all. He was an exceptional man, and I am deeply grateful to the large crew and cast who worked tirelessly to portray this remarkable story.”

Derosa is staging the project with Zsofi Kendel for UK outfit Emblem Pictures. The film is now in post-production, and the release date is yet to be disclosed.