EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway on the feature film Soma, the feature film debut from Belgian-Hungarian director Miklós Keleti (Patterns).
The sci-fi drama stars Nuremberg and Ready or Not actor Mark O’Brien alongside Dutch actress Anneke Sluiters (Heresay).
An international co-production with Belgium-Canada-Netherlands-Estonia, filming is taking place through to mid-September in Estonia (Tallinn and Käsmu) and the Netherlands.
Pic follows scientist couple Paul (O’Brien) and Sarah (Sluiters) as they battle to help their son, Theo, who is suffering from a rare language disorder. When Paul develops an experimental drug that improves communication, his obsession to see Theo speak threatens to destroy his family.
The film is produced by Sebastian Schelenz of Velvet Films in Belgium, Amber Ripley of Goodbye Productions in Canada, Elina Litvinova of Three Brothers in Estonia, and Denis Vaslin of Volya Films in the Netherlands. Game Theory is handling Canadian distribution. On board as well are Belgian broadcasters RTBF, Be tv and Proximus.
“Taking a sci-fi story and making it deeply personal has been at the heart of Soma,” said director Miklós Keleti. “The film is about a father who wants to help his son, but in becoming obsessed with finding a cure, he loses sight of what really matters. I’m thrilled to bring this film to life with such a talented cast and crew.”
“Soma is a very special project for us because it brings together a gripping science-fiction story with a deeply emotional family drama,” added Amber Ripley, Producer, Goodbye Productions. “Miklós is a director with a unique and compelling vision, and we’re excited to see this outstanding debut feature come to life.”
Financing is provided by the Film Center of the Wallonia Brussels Federation, Telefilm Canada, the Netherlands Film Fund and the Estonian Film Institute, among others.
Miklós Keleti is a graduate of the INSAS film school in Brussels. His short-films Back Against the Wall and Patterns were screened at festivals including Sitges, Seattle, BIFFF, Rhode Island and Shanghai. He was selected to the Atelier Grand Nord with the psychological thriller Watching You Sleep.
Key creative roles include Belgian cinematographer Virginie Surdej (Calle Malaga), Estonian production designer Tiiu-Ann Pello (Tenet), as well as Belgian editor Yannick Leroy (Austral). Other cast include newcomer Leonhard Kõuhkna and Lucie Debay (Omen)
Mark O’Brien is repped by The Characters Talent Agency, UTA, Lichter, Grossman, Nichols and Thruline Entertainment; Anneke Sluiters by Copper en Co; and Lucie Debay by Agence Adéquat.
