Fresh off directing a pic about the Manson Family murders, Mary Harron has lined up her next project. The “American Psycho” director is taking on the life of surrealist artist Salvador Dali in biopic “Dali Land.” Deadline broke the news.
The film will center on Dali’s (Ben Kingsley, “The Jungle Book”) relationship with his wife and muse, Gala (Lesley Manville, “Harlots”). “Set in New York and Spain in 1973, ‘Dali Land’ is told through the eyes of James (Frank Dillane, ‘Fear the Walking Dead’), a young gallery assistant who helps Dali prepare for a big show,” the source details. “While James hopes to learn some of the secrets of great art from one of the 20th Century’s greatest painters, he instead falls down a rabbit hole of glittering parties, searing personal battles, and an art world awash with money and intrigue.”
Harron penned the script with John C. Walsh. The duo have previously collaborated on shorts “Holding Fast,” “Armani,” and “Sonnet for a Towncar.”
Production on “Dali Land” is expected to take place in Canada and Spain this November and December. Bankside Films will launch sales at Cannes next week.
“I’m proud to be working with the visionary Mary Harron again on ‘Dali Land,’” said producer Edward R. Pressman. “I believe Mary’s sense of cosmic irony is a perfect match for a story about the flamboyant, contradictory, and larger than life Salvador Dali. I love the team we’ve assembled and can’t wait to see Sir Ben Kingsley and Lesley Manville embody the iconic partnership of Dali and Gala.”
Harron won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Direction, Drama Program or Limited Series for “Alias Grace.” Based on Margaret Atwood’s historical novel of the same name, the six-part Netflix/CBC miniseries tells the story of Grace Marks, a convict who may or may not be guilty of murder.
“Charlie Says,” Harron’s latest work, follows three young women who were initially sentenced to death — and eventually received life sentences — for their involvement in the Charles Manson murders. The pic is currently in post-production.
Features “I Shot Andy Warhol” and “The Moth Diaries” and TV movie “The Notorious Bettie Page” are among Harron’s directing credits. She has also helmed numerous episodes of series such as “The Following,” “The L Word,” and “Big Love.”
