Fast-rising British star Florence Hunt (“Queen at Sea,” “Bridgerton”) is set to lead the cast of “Bare,” the feature directorial debut of writer/director Lorna Tucker. Based on Tucker’s own memoir of the same name and drawn from her own lived experience, the film is now in production in London.
Hunt — recently named a Dior ambassador — is joined by Isla Fisher (“Now You See Me Now You Don’t,” “Wedding Crashers”) and Oscar winner Colin Firth (“A Single Man,” “The King’s Speech”), alongside a impressive ensemble of rising talent.
Among the additional cast are Sky Frances (“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”), Ruaridh Mollica (“VisionQuest,” “Sebastian”), Séamus McLean Ross (“California Schemin’,” “Outlander: Blood of My Blood”), Mirren Mack (“A Tale of Two Cities,” “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”), Lewis Gribben (“Blade Runner 2099,” “Black Mirror”), Tut Nyuot (“Animol,” “The Long Walk”), Clay Russell (“Hamnet”), Umi Myers (“Dope Girls,” “Get Millie Black”), and Shane Walker (“This City Is Ours,” “The Gentlemen”). The film will also feature a cameo appearance from musician and DJ Fatboy Slim.
“Bare” is billed as a “visceral” coming-of-age survival story set on the streets of London, where a young runaway Sophie (Hunt) finds her tribe amidst the darkness and begins to reclaim her sense of self. Rooted in Tucker’s personal journey, the film offers what the producers describe as a “raw yet hopeful portrait of resilience, belonging and the power of human connection.”
The film is produced by Gillian Berrie (“Fuze,” “Relay,” “Starred Up,” “Under the Skin”), Savannah Power (“Animol,” “Pillion,” “Marching Powder”) and Marcus Warren and Christian Moore for Consortium Pictures. The film is executive produced by Pia Patatian and Dimiter Nikolov. Casting is by Des Hamilton (“28 Years Later,” “Jo Jo Rabbit,” “Aftersun,” “Top Boy”).
Also behind the camera, the creative team includes two-time Oscar-nominated “Atonement” and “Anna Karenina” cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, fresh from wrapping Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia,” production designer Amanda McArthur (“Fuze,” “How to Build a Girl,” “Miss You Already”) and costume designer Jessica Schofield (“Adolescence,” “Ludwig”).
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“Bare” marks the first feature under The Consortium Pictures banner, which is financing and producing. Pia Patatian’s sales company Noora Films is representing the film for worldwide rights and will launch sales in Cannes.
Tucker is an award-winning writer and director best known for the Sundance-premiering, BAFTA-nominated documentary “Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist” and “Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son,” which explored homelessness in the U.K.
“’Bare’ is a deeply personal story about survival, connection, and finding light in the darkest places,” she said. “It’s about being seen, the people we lose and the ones who save us. A coming of age for the misunderstood, the unloved and those who slip through the cracks of society.”
The film is made in collaboration with official charitable partners Under One Sky and The Connection at St Martin’s, which work at a grassroots level to support homelessness on the streets.
“From the moment I read Lorna’s memoir, I knew this story demanded to be made. This script is fearless and profoundly human, told with rare authenticity by someone who really has lived it,” said producer Berrie. “Lorna brings an extraordinary clarity of vision to the project, and we’re incredibly proud to be supporting her transition into narrative filmmaking. This material will make a uniquely compelling, emotionally satisfying and utterly relevant film.”
Added Noora Films’ Patatian: “‘Bare’ has the potential to raise awareness around social issues in a way that feels grounded, responsible, and impactful. We look forward to introducing this incredible film to international distributors in Cannes.”
Firth is represented by Independent Talent, CAA and Prosper PR. Fisher is repped by the Curtis Brown Group, Shanahan Management, UTA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Hunt is represented by Artist Rights Group (ARG) Ruaridh Mollica is represented by CvGG, Strange Town, Range Media Partners and 2pm Sharp. Frances is represented by United Agents. McLean Ross is represented by Independent Talent Group & Pinnacle PR. Myers is represented by Markham, Froggatt and Irwin; Peikoff Mahan; Public Eye Communications. Mack is represented by Independent Talent Group. Walker is represented by Independent Talent Group. Lewis Gribben is represented by Alice Coles at The Artists Partnership & Ruth Hollyman at Strange Town and Michael A. Auerbach Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynck Jaime Levine Sample & Klein.
From Variety US