EXCLUSIVE: Mr. Turner actor Timothy Spall is to star in Away, the fifth collaboration between producer Terry Stone and international sales agent Cinema Management Group (CMG).

Juno Temple will also headline the drama from Stone’s Gateway Films and Ratio Film. CMG chief Edward Noeltner is introducing Away to buyers in Berlin this week and holds world rights while the producers retain the UK.

David Blair will direct the Blackpool-set story about a widower who saves an orphan on the run from a drug dealer, sparking an unlikely friendship. Production is scheduled for an early March shoot mostly on location.

Spall’s recent best British actor win in London follows solid recognition for his performance in Mr Turner that has delivered a British Independent Film Awards nomination and the best actor prize in Cannes last May, among others.

“I am thrilled that Cinema Management Group will be handling the international sales for Away at this year’s Berlin Film Festival,” said Stone. “We are very proud of the story that we are telling with Away, as well as the team behind it, and feel that it will stand up very well at this competitive market.”

Turner added: “Our recent collaboration with David Blair, Terry Stone, CMG and Gateway bore fruit with the recent completion of The Messenger. We’re looking forward to working with the same team on Away and are excited to be working with one of the UK’s top acting talents in Timothy Spall and Juno Temple.”

CMG is screening The Messenger in the market today (February 5) and on February 8.

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