Clio Barnard’s latest is coming stateside. “Ali & Ava,” the BAFTA-nominated writer-director’s follow-up to 2017 Ruth Wilson-starrer “Dark River,” has been acquired by Greenwich Entertainment. Deadline broke the news.
A romance that focuses on a single mother and teaching assistant’s romance with a DJ/landlord who bond over their shared love of music, “Ali & Ava” stars Claire Rushbrook (“Secrets & Lies”) and Adeel Akhtar (“Four Lions”). The film, which recently won two British Independent Film Awards, made its world premiere at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight section and went on to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival, among other fests.
“’Ali & Ava’ is an intimate narrative, anchored by the powerful and tender performances of Adeel and Claire,” said Barnard. “It is a naturalistic story that I hope many can relate to in different ways and we look forward to partnering with Greenwich Entertainment to bring this special film to audiences.”
“The Selfish Giant” and “The Arbor” are among Barnard’s other credits. She’s teaming up with Claire Danes on her next project, “The Essex Serpent,” an adaptation of Sarah Perry’s 2016 novel of the same name. Set in 1893, the Apple TV+ series tells the story of a recently widowed woman who becomes intrigued by a local superstition about a mythical creature.
