BAFTA-nominated actress Noomi Rapace is no stranger to fast-paced thrillers. The star has appeared in everything from “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” franchise to “Prometheus” to “Rupture.” Next, Rapace is set to star in a female-helmed action flick: Vicky Jewson’s “Close.” Deadline confirms that principle photography kicked off earlier this week.
Jewson’s film, according to its official synopsis, follows a battlefield-experienced bodyguard named Sam who has “fought her way to the top in a man’s world.” Her current client, Zoe — an heiress to a billion dollar company (Sophie Nélisse, “The Book Thief”) — isn’t exactly the career payoff she had in mind. But when the two are forced on the run after a kidnapping attack, Sam must work together with both Zoe and her ex-partner (Eoin Macken, “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter”) to clear her name and take down the true criminals.
“Close,” which was sold at the Cannes market in May, is loosely based on the career of one of the world’s leading female bodyguards, Jacqui Davis. Her past clients have included J.K. Rowling and Liza Minnelli.
Co-writer and director Jenson told Variety she is “driven by telling the stories of strong, real female protagonists, and [someone like Davis] has had a fascinating career in a male-dominated profession.” Davis herself will serve as a consultant for the film so that “the action will be as realistic as possible.”
“Close” is backed by WestEnd Film’s new female-focused brand. WeLove, which launched last summer aims to develop and produce female-driven content and talent. WeLove’s other projects include Agnieszka Holland’s “Sylvia” and actress Alexis Zegerman’s directorial debut “All Inclusive.”
Jewson previously helmed “Lady Godiva,” a romantic comedy starring Phoebe Thomas and Matthew Chambers, and “Born of War,” an action drama led by Sofia Black-D’Elia. Her latest television series, “Crumbs,” is in post-production.
You can catch Rapace playing seven identical sisters in the Netflix film “What Happened to Monday,” which is streaming now. She also stars as a disgraced CIA analyst trying to stop a biological war in “Unlocked,” in theaters September 1.
