Olivier Award-winning play Gone Too Far is being adapted as a feature film by Poisson Rogue Pictures with backing from the BFI Film Fund.
The coming-of-age comedy marks the feature film debut of director Destiny Ekaragha. Principal photography on the four-week shoot begins on Oct 22 on location in east and south London.
It is one of the first BFI-backed productions to be announced since the launch of Film Forever, the BFI’s five-year plan for supporting UK film.
Gone Too Far will be produced by Poisson Rouge’s Christopher Granier-Deferre (The Hide) and will be overseen by BFI senior executives Lizzie Francke and Chris Collins.
Bola Agbaje [pictured] has adapted the screenplay from her own play of the same name, which won the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliated Theatre in 2007.
She also received an Evening Standard Award nomination for Most Promising Playwright in 2008 and has seen her other plays, including Belong and Off the Endz, performed in London theatres.
The story follows two estranged teenage brothers over the course of a single day as they meet for the first time and struggle to accept each other for who they are.
Yemi, played by Malachi Kirby (My Brother the Devil), can’t wait for his older brother to join him on the estate in London. But when Ikudayisi, played by O.C. Ukeje (Half of a Yellow Sun), arrives from Nigeria wearing socks and sandals, Yemi questions both his judgement and African heritage.
Also appearing are Shanika Warren-Markland (Adulthood) as Armani, the object of Yemi’s desire, and Adelayo Adedayo (Sket) as her best friend Paris.
Nigerian actress Golda John, most recently seen alongside Simon Pegg in A Fantastic Fear of Everything, will play Yemi and Ikudayisi’s mother.
Granier-Deferre described Gone Too Far as “a blisteringly funny, original and exciting representation of Black Britain today”.
He added: “It is a unique opportunity to portray a vibrant community onscreen in a way that hasn’t been done before.”
Lizzie Francke, Senior Executive in the BFI Film Fund, said: “This sparky and distinct coming of age tale proved a hit during its run at the Royal Court Theatre and we’re excited to now support its move to the big screen. Bola has crafted a wonderfully witty screenplay while Destiny’s vibrant shorts Tight Jeans and In the Park really mark her out as a talent to watch.”
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