‘Cold Enough for Snow’ Adaptation Boarded by Modern Films

‘Cold Enough for Snow’ Adaptation Boarded by Modern Films – TIFFCOM

As a seasoned film enthusiast with years of immersion in the world of cinema, I find myself deeply intrigued by this upcoming adaptation of Jessica Au’s “Cold Enough for Snow.” The prospect of Jemima James, a theater veteran with a unique eye for storytelling, making her feature directorial debut on this project is nothing short of exhilarating.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the captivating novel “Cold Enough for Snow” by Jessica Au is being brought to life on the big screen by Modern Films! This project marks the exciting feature directorial debut of theater veteran Jemima James. Currently, this promising adaptation is showcased at TIFFCOM’s Tokyo Gap-Financing Market.

This award-winning book, titled “The Inaugural Novel” published by Fitzcarraldo Editions, New Directions, and Giramondo, tells the story of a mother and daughter’s emotional odyssey through Tokyo. They traverse their intricate bond amidst the backdrop of autumn showers and contemporary art museums. Out of over 1,500 submissions, this captivating novel from 2022 was chosen as the winner.

This multi-national collaboration, a co-production among the U.K., Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong, is set to commence filming around autumn 2025, and it’s budgeted at approximately £3.5 million ($4.5 million). The production schedule outlines 32 days of shooting, with 18 days allocated for Japan, 11 days for Australia, and 3 days for Hong Kong. After the filming is complete, post-production work will be carried out in the U.K.

James shared with EbMaster, “I recently read ‘Cold Enough For Snow’ shortly after its UK release, and it left a profound impact on me. Despite being a short novel, fewer than one hundred pages, it carries immense depth and power that is not immediately apparent. Jessica Au’s writing has a lingering effect; it continues to resonate and provoke long after you finish reading the book. That kind of writing captivates me, and I aspire to create such thought-provoking cinema.

James has a wealth of theater background, having held positions such as associate director and co-dramaturg for Complicité’s production of “The Encounter.” This production was initially staged at London’s Barbican Centre, later moving to Broadway. In addition, James directed the short film “Grace On A Saturday Night,” which received funding from BFI Network and screened at both the Manchester International Film Festival and Nottingham Film Festival in 2021.

As a passionate admirer, I eagerly anticipate this film to foster profound thought and emotion within viewers about the significant individuals in their lives, as well as the relationships that define them. I hope it stirs fresh viewpoints, deeper insights, and a renewed sense of empathy for the people they cherish, regardless of how intricate or perplexing those feelings may be – James’ sentiment.

Eve Gabereau, the CEO of Modern Films, who previously played a significant role in launching Soda Pictures and bringing “Drive My Car” to viewers in the U.K. and Ireland, has already secured 60% of the film’s funding. As it turns out, our shared background in Japan – Gabereau having spent many years there herself – was a key factor that brought us together. We quickly established a strong connection and found ourselves in agreement about how to transform the story from script to screen. Jemima is an exceptionally talented writer, and her unique perspective shines through in her short films and stage productions.

On the production side, we have May Leung, who acts both as a production consultant and a co-producer. With her previous work on movies such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Inception,” she brings valuable insights to our team. Additionally, Satoko Sekiguchi is assigned as the production assistant.

The team is planning to travel to the Tokyo Funding Market in order to find a Japanese partner for production, finalize primary filming spots and schedules, and interact with crucial financiers, Japanese investment bodies, sales firms, and distribution networks.

Established in 2017, Modern Films boasts a notable history with movies like “Manifesto,” starring Cate Blanchett, and “I Am Not a Witch,” which garnered awards at BIFA and BAFTA. Today, they hold distribution rights for over 100 films and have been recognized as the Highly Acclaimed Distributor of the Year from 2019 to 2022.

2024-10-30 03:18

‘Cold Enough for Snow’ Adaptation Boarded by Modern Films – TIFFCOM

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