Match Factory strikes deal for Snow in Paradise

British producer Christine Alderson’s Ipso Facto has attached The Match Factory as sales company on Snow in Paradise, the debut feature from Andrew Hulme, editor of Control and The American.

“We strongly believe in the international potential of the project. The film will become an instant cult movie,” said the Match Factory’s Michael Weber.

“We also believe that Andrew will prove his talent with his first feature film as a director and step out from the background where he has hidden whilst he edited Anton Corbijn’s pictures.”

The redemptive crime thriller, which is now close to completing its financing, is based on the true story of a petty criminal in London’s East End who discovers Islam. The film is being billed as a British answer to A Prophet.

The lead roles have already been cast. Newcomer Fred Schmidt, an art technician who was discovered on the street in London unloading a van and invited to audition, has been recruited to play the petty criminal Dave.

Aymen Hamdouchi (My Brother The Devil) has been cast as his best friend Tariq. Vanessa Kirby has also been cast, playing both Trudy and Theresa as the contradictory roles merge in Dave’s drug addled mind.’ 

Kirby recently starred in Rowan Athale’s Wasteland, and also appeared in the TV series adaptation Great Expectations and as the lead in Chris Smith’s Labyrinth for Scott Free. She also has a role in Berlinale title The Necessary Death Of Charlie Countryman

Alderson is also on post-production of her first US film, Matthew Thompson’s Event 15 starring Jennifer Morrison, Josh Stewart and James Frain, which is currently in post-production. The thriller follows three soldiers trapped in an elevator after a dirty bomb attack. Alderson produces alongside Thomas Sterchi and Lars Wiebe.