Pedro and Agustin Almodóvar’s El Deseo and Infinity Hill (“Argentina 1985”) have boarded the Pamela Anderson–Guy Pearce crime caper “Queen of the Falls” as co-producers. They are joined by Wrong Turn Productions (“Dead Man’s Wire”), Argentine-based Frutacine (“Initials S.G.”) and France’s Maneki Film (“Promised Sky”).
Lead produced by Oscar-winning Mollye Asher (“Nomadland,” “The Rider”) and Shruti Ganguly (“Initials S.G.”), it is written and directed by Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia, best known for their acclaimed drama “Initials S.G.”
U.K.-based Phin Glynn, who co-founded Infinity Hill with partners Axel Kuschevatzky and Cindy Teperman, serves as executive producer.
“‘Queen of the Falls’ has united visionary partners across continents, including Pamela Anderson and Guy Pearce, who will bring extraordinary depth, humor and raw power to Jack and Billy, making these fierce, unforgettable characters linger long after the credits,” said Asher and Ganguly who heaped praise on the filmmaking duo: “From the first page, Rania and Daniel’s script gripped us – dangerous, darkly funny and profoundly human. A story that reminds you why we make movies.”
Anderson, Golden Globe and SAG-nominated for her poignant turn in “The Last Showgirl,” and Oscar-nominated Emmy winner Pearce (“The Brutalist,” “Mildred Pierce”) are toplining what is billed as a “crime-fueled road trip romance.”
Vuelta’s Global Constellation launches international sales on the project at the AFM, which runs Nov. 11-16 in Los Angeles. CAA, Anonymous Content and Gersh jointly rep North American rights.
Expected to start shooting in Niagara Falls by the first quarter of next year, “Queen of the Falls” follows two lovers on the lam, roadkill cleaner (Anderson) and fugitive (Pearce), as they blaze toward Niagara Falls in a music-driven, high-voltage road romance about freedom, control and the cost of escape.
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“At its heart, ‘Queen of the Falls’ is a story of one woman’s survival disguised as a romance. Laced with betrayal, vengeance, murder and music, it is a tale that will take us on a journey that is equal parts love story, fever dream and tragedy; one that is haunted by pop music, cheap Americana and the ghost of romance itself,” said Attieh and Garcia. “We want the film to be an explosion of love and fear, of whimsy and wonder and of violence and death. And we couldn’t be more excited to see our two leads, Pamela and Guy, bring this wild, love-on-the-run odyssey to life.”
“Rania, Daniel, and I have been discussing ‘Queen of the Falls’ for some time now. I love their films – especially ‘Initials S.G.’ – convincing me the music part is a natural extension for them to play in,” said Anderson, adding: “Music has always intrigued me and though this film is clearly not a typical musical, the musical elements are inspiring and unexpected.”
Grammy and BAFTA award winner Marius De Vries (“La La land,” “Moulin Rouge”) is attached to compose the music while Celia Rowlson Hall (“The Testament of Anne Lee,” “Aftersun”) will choreograph. Sue Jacobs, whose credits include “Promising Young Woman” and “American Hustle,” is supervising the music.
Speaking of her co-star Pearce, Anderson said: “Guy is someone I can’t wait to work with. He is a brilliant actor and has taken this on with full force. We are in this together. It’s been a long road, and will be a delicate continuous journey with dedicated preparation to blend the musical aspects in amongst this wild and challenging love-on-the-run style, raw and whimsical story.”
Said Global Constellation’s Fabien Westerhoff: “With ‘Queen of the Falls,’ Rania and Daniel have created something truly original and deeply cinematic, part crime caper, part love story, that’s as intimate as it is epic. With Pamela and Guy at the wheel, it captures the danger, humor, and irresistible pull of love on the edge.”
Attieh and Garcia previously won the “Someone to Watch” Independent Spirit Award for their 2014 movie “H,” which played in Venice, Sundance and Berlin. “Initials S.G.” (2019) was nominated for best narrative feature at Tribeca Film Festival where Attieh won the Nora Ephron Prize.
Anderson and Pearce are both represented by CAA.
From Variety US