24/05/2016 - Debut feature is school-set reworking of Cyrano de Bergerac

Feature debutant Toby MacDonald has wrapped principal photography on Old Boys [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. Written by Luke Ponte and Freddy Syborn, the film is a school-set reworking of Cyrano de Bergerac where an awkward but imaginative student helps the dim school hero pursue the daughter of a visiting French tutor. The cast includes Alex Lawther, who won Young British Performer of the Year at the London Critics Circle Film Awards for his role as the young Alan Turing in The Imitation Game [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile] and was also nominated as Best British Newcomer for the same role at the British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival; Belgian actress Pauline Etienne who won Best Actress at Belgium’s Magritte Awards for The Nun [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Guillaume Nicloux
film profile] and was also nominated for a César for the role; British actor Jonah Hauer-King who is currently filming Ashes in the Snow; French actor Denis Ménochet, recently seen in The Program [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
interview: Stephen Frears
film profile], and British actor Joshua McGuire, recently seen in Mr. Turner [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mike Leigh
film profile].

MacDonald and producer Luke Morris of Momac Films previously collaborated on the shorts Je t’aime John Wayne and Heavy Metal Drummer, both of which were BAFTA nominated. Film4 and the BFI co-developed and co-financed the film. Creative England and Film Väst (Sweden), in partnership with Erik Hemmendorff at Plattform Produktion (Sweden) additionally contributed towards production finance. WestEnd Films are handling international sales.

Morris said, “We’ve re-worked the Cyrano story for the Harry Potter generation and what translates is a fresh, offbeat comedy, full of heart. We are passionate about bringing it to the big screen through Toby’s vision and our talented cast and crew.”

Sam Lavender, Executive Producer on behalf of Film4, said, “Film4 are proud to be a part of this very funny and touching film. We’re thrilled to have taken it into production with such an exciting cast and to support Toby’s unique, distinctive vision.”

Natascha Wharton, Senior Production and Development Executive, BFI, said, “Toby has established himself as a stand-out talent through his BAFTA nominated shorts and we are delighted to be supporting him on his first feature, an idiosyncratic teen comedy with a brilliant young cast.”