Morgan Matthews to direct 'Gypsy Boy' for BBC Films

A Brilliant Mind director Morgan Matthews [pictured] will direct Gypsy Boy, James Graham’s adaptation of Mikey Walsh’s bestselling memoir.

Born into a gypsy family famed for its boxing prowess, Walsh faced a difficult decision after realising he was gay – stay within a community that cannot accept him, or walk away from the only life that he knows.

BAFTA-winning Matthews, known for his acclaimed documentary work, previously directed 2014’s X+Y (also known as A Brilliant Mind), also from a James Graham screenplay, which starred Asa Butterfield.

BBC Films revealed Matthews’ attachment here in Cannes.

Industry attending a BBC Films lineup event saw clips from forthcoming productions including Ricky Gervais’ Life On The Road and Mandie Fletcher’s Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie as well as Holocaust drama Denial, starring Rachel Weisz.

Also on the BBC Films Cannes slate are:

• Ken Loach’s Competition title I, Daniel Blake, which scored 2.4 on Screen’s 2016 Cannes Jury Grid.
• Ian McEwan’s adaptation of his own novel On Chesil Beach, which is from the producers of Carol and will star Saoirse Ronan.
• Andy Serkis’s Breathe, which will star Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy.
• Amma Asante’s A United Kingdom, with David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike.
• Thomas Napper’s Jawbone, starring Johnny Harris, which Screen revealed the first image from last week.