Rising British stars Kingsley Ben-Adir (“Bob Marley: One Love,” “Barbie”) and Archie Madekwe (“Lurker,” “Saltburn”) are teaming up to lead the cast of “The Arrival” alongside Joanna Scanlan (“After Love,” “Joy”) and Alex Descas (“Let the Sunshine In,” “Raising Colours”).
The film marks the feature directorial debut of award-winning theatre director Bijan Sheibani, based on his acclaimed play of the same name, and boasts an array of prestige producers behind the camera in Michael Fassbender‘s DMC Film and House Productions, which made “Conclave.” Cornerstone is handling worldwide sales and will be launching the project at the American Film Market.
Described as a “gut-wrenching, depiction of identity, obsession and betrayal,” “The Arrival” — which has now wrapped in London after shooting under the radar across the U.K. — charts the reunion of two long-lost brothers, Raheem (Madekwe) and Tom (Ben-Adir) in adulthood. Tom, the elder of the two, was given up for adoption as an infant. The film examines the “exhilarating and uncanny experience” of meeting a blood brother for the first time in adulthood. As the two grow closer, seduced by the idea of their shared history finally making sense, they must confront the uncomfortable truths at the heart of their family, and the impossible decision that their parents (Scanlan and Descas) made thirty years ago.
Sheibani is an Olivier Award-winning director and “The Arrival” marked his writing debut for the theatre. Most recently, he directed “Till the Stars Come Down” for the National Theatre, which successfully transferred to the Theatre Royal Haymarket. For TV, he wrote multiple episodes of “One Day” for Netflix. Other acclaimed theatre directing credits include “Dance Nation” (Almeida Theatre), “Barber Shop Chronicles” (National Theatre) and “The Brothers Size” (Young Vic).
“The Arrival” was developed by Sheibani with Film4 alongside DMC Film (“Kneecap,” “Calm With Horses”) and House Productions (“Conclave,” “The Iron Claw”) who also have co-produced the film. It is co-financed by Film4 and the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding).
The film is produced by BAFTA Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Tessa Ross (“Conclave,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) Emmy Award nominee Juliette Howell (“Brexit: The Uncivil War,” “Conclave”) and BIFA winner Theo Barrowclough (“Scrapper,” “Mint”) for House Productions. Oscar and BAFTA nominee Fassbender, BIFA and BAFTA nominee Daniel Emmerson and Conor McCaughan produce for DMC Film. Nell Green also produces the feature. David Kimbangi is executive producer for Film4 and Ama Ampadu for the BFI. It has been shooting in the U.K. across the summer.
“Having worked with Bijan on his Film4-backed short Morning Song and throughout development of the script, we’re so proud to see The Arrival come to life,” said David Kimbangi, senior commissioning executive at Film4. “The calibre of the cast and crew that have attached to the film is testament to Bijan’s undeniable writing, his reputation in theatre, and it has been a joy collaborating with him, Theo Barrowclough, and our partners at the BFI.”
Added Ampadu, senior production and development executive at the BFI: “In ‘The Arrival,’ Bijan Sheibani is bringing his unique voice and style to create a film that deftly explores issues of identity and roads not taken. Following his success in theatre and based on his play of the same name, Bijan and his producer Theo Barrowclough have brought together a fantastic team and an exciting cast, led by Archie Madekwe and Kingsley Ben-Adir, to create a gripping, striking and heartfelt debut feature.”
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