Johnny Flynn (“Ripley,” “One Life”) is set to lead the cast of the survival thriller “Prayer for the Dead,” with John C. Reilly also joining the film, which is now in production outside Bratislava, Slovakia.
Anton and New Europe Films are representing the film's worldwide rights, with sales continuing at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.
Written and directed by Dara Van Dusen, A Prayer for the Dead is based on the novel by Stuart O’Nan and is set in 1870 in Friendship, Wisconsin, a small town of Scandinavian settlers still reeling from the recent Civil War. When a man faces a new and more deadly threat, he is forced to make a horrific choice: save his young family or defend the community that gave him a second chance at life and meaning. Flynn will play Jacob Hansen, the sheriff responsible for the safety of the town, while Reilly will play the local doctor.
The film “Prayer for the Dead” will also star leading Scandinavian actors Kristin Kojat Thorp (“Ninjababy”, “Sick of Myself”) and Gustav Lind (“The Northman”, “Queen of Hearts”).
“I am thrilled to be part of this incredible project with such wonderful and talented people,” said Flynn. “Dara’s adaptation of Stuart O’Nan’s powerful novel is a thing of delicate, mysterious beauty. A dark and disturbing story – which, despite being set in the past, feels incredibly prophetic for the uncertain times we live in.”
Van Dusen is a writer and director from New York, currently based in Oslo, Norway. She has received several development and production grants from the Norwegian Film Institute. Her short film Significant Others competed in the Official Selection at Cannes. Her latest short film The Blind Man, an adaptation of a Bertolt Brecht short story, was nominated for Best Nordic Short Film and selected for Nordic Panorama. She is represented by Rowena Wallace at Peach House.
“It’s truly amazing to have the opportunity to not only adapt and direct my favorite novel, but also to work with my favorite actors to bring it to life,” said Van Dusen. “Johnny and John are truly amazing. This is all a dream.”
The film is produced by Davek Björklä Graver and Andrea Berentsen-Ottmar for Eye Eye Pictures, whose credits include Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World and Christopher Burgley’s Psychopath. Co-producers include Mimi Spong for Garagefilm International, Tristan Goliger for The Bureau, Vicki Miha for Asterisk*, Vinja Kosovica for Blonde Audiovisual Productions, Zohra Valdek for Banaccas Film, Film i Väst, Mediefondet Zefyr and John Baker. The film was supported by Creative Europe, the Norwegian Film Institute, the Swedish Film Institute, the Global Screen Fund UK and the Hellenic Film Centre.
“Watching Dara’s brilliant script brought to life with such an amazing crew is everything I could have ever hoped for,” said Graver. “Shooting here in Slovakia, with our incredible team, has been an incredible experience so far and I’m very much looking forward to sharing this film with audiences.”
Flynn is represented by United Agents and CAA, while Reilly is represented by CAA and Framework Entertainment. Agentfirman is represented by Kristin Kojath Thorpe and Gustav Lind and Aleksandra Mandic.
Callum Turner was previously set to star in 'A Prayer for the Dead'.
