EXCLUSIVE: Vertical has acquired North American rights to The New Boy, starring Cate Blanchett (Black Bag) and newcomer Aswan Reid, slating the film for release in theaters on May 23.
Written and directed by Warwick Thornton, the Australian filmmaker behind titles like Sweet Country and Samson & Delilah, The New Boy takes place in 1940s Australia at a remote monastery with a mission for Aboriginal children run by a renegade nun, Sister Eileen (Blanchett). In the film, a new charge (Reid) is delivered in the dead of night — a boy who appears to have special powers. However, the boy’s Indigenous spiritual life does not mesh with the mission’s Christianity and his mysterious power becomes a threat. Sister Eileen is thus faced with a choice between the traditions of her faith and the truth embodied in the boy.
Also starring Deborah Mailman (Rabbit Proof Fence) and Wayne Blair (Seriously Red), the film was produced by Blanchett and Andrew Upton for Dirty Films, Kath Shelper for Scarlett Pictures, and Lorenzo De Maio for De Maio Entertainment. Co-producer was Georgie Pym, with Coco Francini serving as executive producer for Dirty Films, alongside Gretel Packer for Longbridge Nominees. Fremantle and Longbridge Nominees were the production companies. Principal financing was provided by Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, with additional financing from Screen NSW and the South Australian Film Corporation.
In a statement to Deadline, filmmaker Thornton said, “With everything going on right now in the world, it’s perfect timing for a little bit of magic from this beautiful young boy to be unleashed. Thank you to Vertical and our whole team for continuing to believe in and back independent cinema.”
Commented Vertical SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi, who along with Manager of Acquisitions & Sales Rachel White, repped the company in the deal: “Warwick has crafted a mysterious and compelling examination of faith, a critique of institutions that transcends borders, that is anchored by the performances of the consistently excellent Cate Blanchett and the remarkable discovery that is Aswan Reid. We look forward to presenting the film to North American audiences this May.”
CAA Media Finance repped the filmmakers in the deal.
