Bankside Films acquires worldwide sales rights to Stacey Gregg’s HERE BEFORE
Date Posted: June 11, 2020
Bankside Films today announced that it has acquired worldwide sales rights to HERE BEFORE, written and directed by Northern Ireland’s Stacey Gregg and starring Andrea Riseborough.
HERE BEFORE is currently in post-production having recently completed shooting in Belfast, Northern Ireland and stars Andrea Riseborough (Birdman) along with Jonjo O’Neill (The Fall), Martin McCann (Calibre), Eileen O’Higgins (Brooklyn) and introduces newcomer Niamh Dornan who round out the cast.
The film will be the feature directorial debut for writer/director Gregg, who is already an established theatre and television writer. Her previous work includes co-directing Inside Bitch for the Royal Court Theatre and Clean Break. Her television writing credits include Sophia Al-Maria’s Little Birds starring Juno Temple for Warp Films and Sky, Riviera for Sky and The Innocents for Netflix.
When a new family moves in next door, their young daughter, Megan, quickly captivates Laura, stirring up painful memories of her own daughter who died several years previously.
Before long, Laura’s memories turn to obsession as Megan’s unsettling behaviour begins to convince her of something supernatural.
As Laura’s determination to get to the bottom of it becomes all consuming, her family begins to fracture and the line between the extraordinary and the real becomes ever more obscured in this haunting story about a mother’s love.
The film is produced by Julia Godzinskaya and Sophie Vickers for Rooks Nest (The Witch, Surge). The film is financed by BBC Films, Pia Pressure and Northern Ireland Screen. Executive Producers are Eva Yates for BBC Films, Pia Getty and James Durrant for Pia Pressure and Will Norton for Rooks Nest.
Stephen Kelliher of Bankside Films said: “HERE BEFORE is a beautifully crafted take on a story which will resonate widely with international audiences. Stacey Gregg expertly treads the delicate line between what is real and what you want to be real and the result is a film which is both spine-tingling and intensely moving. Andrea Riseborough’s performance as a mother haunted by a ghost from the past is truly mesmerising.”
Julia Godzinskaya and Sophie Vickers of Rooks Nest said: “We are incredibly excited to introduce Stacey Gregg’s bold directorial voice with her debut feature HERE BEFORE. Andrea Riseborough delivers a stunningly nuanced and tender performance and Niamh Dornan is a revelation in her first ever role on screen. A big thank you to our champions at BBC Films, NIS and Pia Pressure for their unwavering support in getting this film made.”
Bankside will be introducing buyers to the project and showing a promo during the Virtual Cannes week which starts on June 22nd.
