Lone Scherfig’s follow-up to “Their Finest” sees her leaving the London Blitz behind for a modern-day fairy tale set in New York City. The Danish filmmaker has signed on to write and direct “Secrets from the Russian Tea Room,” Deadline reports. Zoe Kazan (“The Big Sick”), Andrea Riseborough (“Battle of the Sexes”), and Tahar Rahim (“A Prophet”) will star.
The pic tells the story of four people suffering through the worst crises of their lives. That same year, they “gradually become each other’s closest allies and forever change one another’s lives through compassion, kindness, and love.”
A collaboration between multiple countries, “Secrets from the Russian Tea Room” will be produced by Malene Blenkov (“Bridgend”) for Creative Alliance and Canada’s Strada Films, in co-production with France’s D’Artagnan, Germany’s Nadcon, and Sweden’s Unlimited Stories. The pic’s production will kick off this spring in New York, Toronto, and Copenhagen, and, as its title suggests, will film at the iconic Russian Tea Room in Manhattan.
Scherfig’s last film, Gemma Arterton-starrer “Their Finest,” hit theaters last year. The WWII dramedy follows a secretary enlisted to serve as a screenwriter on propaganda films for British audiences.
When we asked Scherfig the best advice she’s received, the two-time BAFTA Award nominee said, “It’s good to choose your battles and find your voice as a filmmaker early if you can. Find someone you trust to collaborate with. Read books. Learn how to appreciate the individual crafts and artistry on the film crew, especially writers and actors.”
“An Education,” “One Day,” and “The Riot Club” are among Scherfig’s other credits.
