It’s a royal moment for Guillem Morales…
The 46-year-old Catalan Spanish film and television director/writer will direct the revenge thriller The Duchess of Malfi.
From Miriam Segal’s Good Films Collective, the film will star Morfydd Clark, Sam Riley and Dominic Cooper.
Luke Garrett has adapted the classic Jacobean play by John Webster. The story follows the recently widowed Duchess (Clark) who falls in love with her steward Antonio. Their union sets in motion a conflict with her cruel and vengeful brothers, the Cardinal and Ferdinand, who enlist the spy Bosola to keep her from escaping their control.
Additional cast includes Freddie Fox and Frank Dillane.
Producing are Segal, who also helped develop the script, and Paul Brennan (The Infiltrator). DoP Pawel Edelman, costume designer Carlo Poggioli and editor Joe Randall-Cutler are also aboard.
“There are no better times than these to tell the story of The Duchess Of Malfi,” says Morales. “Webster’s masterpiece is ready for new, young audiences as its themes are so relevant today.”
WestEnd Films’ Maya Amsellem added: “The Duchess Of Malfi tells a story that is incredibly relevant to contemporary audiences, focusing on issues of social inequality, class and the status of women in society. We’re consistently passionate about championing female-focused stories at WestEnd and we can’t wait to introduce the film to buyers.”
Miriam Segal added: “Since directing the play of The Duchess Of Malfi many years ago, it’s had a lasting impact on me. The themes of social inequality, class and the treatment of women could not be more relevant or immediate to the world we live in now.”
Morales previous credits include the films Julia’s Eyes and El Habitante Incierto, as well as the television series The Miniaturist.
