Kristin Scott Thomas is stepping behind the camera for the first time. The Oscar-nominated British actress is making her directorial debut with “The Sea Change,” a romantic comedy based on Elizabeth Jane Howard’s 1995 novel of the same name. Scott Thomas will also star in the film, Deadline reports.
“The Sea Change” centers on “a group of people who re-evaluate loss, love, and human connection when they find themselves together on a remote Greek island,” Deadline summarizes. “Emmanuel is a successful London playwright, who has been married to the complex and witty Lillian (Scott Thomas) for many years, but their marriage is in crisis, a crisis which is overcome by the arrival of a curious and outspoken young girl, Alice. Their relationship is thrown into perspective when her life is turned upside down.” Mark Strong (“Miss Sloane”) is in talks to play Emmanuel.
The project is being penned by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (“Ida”). Fragile Films’ Baranaby Thompson (“Easy Virtue”) is producing, and Deadline writes that “Thorsten Schumacher’s newly-launched Rocket Science will handle worldwide sales and is set to unveil the title to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin next week.”
“Sidney Pollack told me that actors are naturally good filmmakers and I want to make a film to continue my trajectory as a story teller,” said Scott Thomas. “‘The Sea Change’ asks a question I have been trying to answer in many of my performances — what are the reasons for the thrills and difficulties of love? I want to make a film that has depth, humor, and beauty.”
Scott Thomas earned an Academy Award nomination in 1997 for her role in “The English Patient.” Her recent credits include “Suite Française,” “The Invisible Woman,” and “Only God Forgives.” Her next film, Sally Potter’s “The Party,” is set to make its world premiere at Berlinale this month. The black and white ensemble comedy co-stars Emily Mortimer (“The Newsroom”), Patricia Clarkson (“The Maze Runner” franchise), Cillian Murphy (“Inception”), Cherry Jones (“Transparent”), Timothy Spall (“Harry Potter” franchise), and Bruno Ganz (“The Reader”).
A number of other actresses are currently working on their feature directorial debuts, including Kirsten Dunst, Brie Larson, Kyra Sedgwick, and Karen Gillan.
