Oscar-nominated New Zealand filmmaker Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, The Truman Show) has assembled a vibrant all-kiwi cast to lead the newly announced live-action/animated movie I protest.
The Hollywood Reporter can reveal that Melanie Lynsey (Yellow jackets, Don’t look up), Karl Urbanus (Lord of the Rings, The boys), Thomas McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit, Old) and Jemaine Clement (Avatar: The way of the water, Flight of the Concords) will star in the project, which will introduce The Exchange to international buyers in Cannes. CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group will handle domestic rights.
I protest revolves around 10-year-old Tom, who mourns the loss of his father and, unable to relate to the people in his life, takes refuge in the everyday objects around him. Pop-can lids, suitcases and countless everyday objects reveal their true faces and speak to Tom to help him on his healing journey.
Currently in pre-production, I protest is expected to begin principal photography in the fourth quarter.
Niccol will direct and write the project, marking his second film in the Marche Lord of War follow-up Lords of War. Producers include Daniel Bekerman (The witch, fall) for Scythia Films, Chris Yurkovich (slash/back) for Good Question Media, Timothy White (I am mother, son of a gun) for Southern Light Films and Alex Ordanis (emmy). Jordan Hart (Dear mum) of Good Question Media will serve as executive producer on the project. I protest is a co-production between Canada and New Zealand.
“I protest is a unique and heartwarming story about the power of imagination and the importance of finding hope in the darkest of times,” said Nat McCormick, global sales and distribution president at The Exchange. “By exploring big topics like grief and mental health from a child’s perspective, this film is sure to resonate with audiences of all ages.”
The Exchange’s Cannes 23 lineup includes Bird’s eye viewwith Maria Bakalova, Jean Reno, Ty Simpkins and Connie Nielsen, Nobody Nothing Nowherewith Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lucy Liu and Octavia Spencer, The cutstarring Orlando Bloom, and The Shrubstarring Peter Dinklage.
Niccol is represented by CAA, Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal Laviolette & Feldman; Lynskey by The Gersh Agency, and Johnson and Laird Management; Urban by UTA, Johnson and Laird Management and McKuin Frankel Whitehead; McKenzie by UTA, Untitled Entertainment and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole; and Clement by UTA and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman.
