Principal photography begins on Mahalia Belo’s The End We Start From
- Starring Jodie Comer, Mark Strong and Benedict Cumberbatch, the picture follows the trials and joys of new motherhood in the midst of devastating floods
Last week, principal photography began on The End We Start From [+see also:
film review
film profile], toplined by Emmy Award-winning actress Jodie Comer (the TV series Killing Eve, The Last Duel [+see also:
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The feature is based on the Megan Hunter novel of the sane name and has been adapted for the big screen by Alice Birch (Normal People, Succession, The Wonder [+see also:
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interview: Sebastián Lelio
film profile]). It promises to be “a powerful, hopeful story about the trials and joys of new motherhood in the midst of devastating floods that swallow up the city of London” and a “dystopian portrayal of family survival and hope”.
Speaking about her project, Belo explained: “The End We Start From is a unique and original take on a survival film – one that feels in tune with the climate crisis we are experiencing now. It delivers an honest look at the nature of a hero, someone forced to be brave who sometimes can’t be. It is incredible to be working with such an extraordinary cast, bringing this human, primal and ultimately hopeful story to life.”
Talking about her role, Comer added: “My character is ordinary and extraordinary. Both her very personal life and the world around her have been turned upside down, and she is dealing with the unknown at every turn. Her story is about the quiet heroics of determination, devotion, bravery and love.”
Other main cast members are Joel Fry (Cruella, Yesterday [+see also:
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film profile], Kingsman: The Golden Circle [+see also:
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film profile]), Gina McKee (the TV series Line of Duty), Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, The World to Come), Nina Sosanya (the TV series Screw and His Dark Materials) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Power of the Dog [+see also:
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The picture’s creative team includes BAFTA-nominated DoP Suzie Lavelle (the TV series His Dark Materials), costume designer PC Williams (the TV series The Baby and We Are Lady Parts), production designer Laura Ellis-Cricks (Beast [+see also:
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interview: Michael Pearce
film profile]), and hair and make-up designer Louise Coles (the TV series The Crown).
The End We Start From is being produced by Leah Clarke and Adam Ackland for SunnyMarch (UK), Liza Marshall for Hera Pictures (UK), Amy Jackson and Sophie Hunter. The executive producers are Benedict Cumberbatch for SunnyMarch, Jodie Comer, Mark Strong, Sébastien Raybaud, Fanny Soulier, Pieter Engels, Kate Maxwell for Anton, Dave Caplan and Jason Cloth for C2 Motion Picture Group (USA), Eva Yates and Claudia Yusef for BBC Film, and Lizzie Francke for the BFI. Anton, C2 Motion Picture Group, BBC Film and the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding) are co-financing the film.
Anton and UTA Independent Film Group (USA) are in charge of the project’s worldwide sales, with UTA having helped structure its financing alongside Anton.
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