Cannes First Look: OPHELIA — Michelle Hannett reports

Currently in production in Prague, here’s a first look at director Claire McCarthy’s Ophelia, starring Daisy Ridley.

Set in the 14th Century but spoken in a contemporary voice, Ophelia is a dynamic re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Continue reading…

The cast includes Daisy Ridley (upcoming Murder on the Orient Express, Star Wars: The Last Jedi), two-time Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts (Divergent series, The Impossible), Golden Globe winning and Academy Award nominee Clive Owen (Closer, Children of Men, upcoming Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets), George MacKay (Captain Fantastic, Pride) and Tom Felton (Harry Potter series).

Ophelia (Ridley) takes center stage as the Queen’s (Watts) most trusted lady-in-waiting. Beautiful and intelligent, she soon captures the attention of the handsome Prince Hamlet and a forbidden love blossoms. As war brews, lust and betrayal are tearing Elsinore Castle apart from within and Ophelia must decide between her true love or her own life in order to protect a very dangerous secret. Owen will play Claudius, MacKay will play Hamlet, Felton will play Laertes, and Terrell will play Horatio.

McCarthy previously helmed The Waiting City. The 2009 Australian film featured Joel Edgerton and Radha Mitchell and was an official selection at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.

Written by Semi Chellas, OPHELIA is adapted from the book by Lisa Klein. At present Covert Media is handling international sales in Cannes.