Cate Blanchett will star in “Sweetsick,” a new film about women who have the ability to see what people need most in their lives.
Aris Burch writes and directs her feature directorial debut. She is best known for writing “Lady Macbeth” and adapting Sally Rooney’s novel “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends” to a praised miniseries. Searchlight Pictures supports “Sweetsick.” This will be filmed in the UK and Greece this fall.
“I couldn’t be more excited to create a debut feature as a director with such an extraordinary team of filmmakers and collaborators,” Birch said in a statement. “It’s about making Peerless Cate Blanchett at the heart of that.”
“Sweetsick” follows the mercury woman (Blanchett) in the aforementioned “strange and stinging gift” while she is out on her way home. The rest of the cast will be announced soon.
The film is produced by Tessa Ross, Juliet Howell and House Production’s Theo Barrowklaud alongside Blanchett and her dirty movie banner. It also produces Lee Groombridge. Film4 will conduct joint finance with executive production.
“We are all very big followers of Alice Birch and it was great to see her astounding team, especially the amazing Kate, who has come together around her.
Blanchett won two Oscars for “Blue Valentine” and “Aviator.” Her other major credits include “Notes on Scandal,” “I’m Not There,” “Carol,” and “Tár.” Burch won the WGA Award for his work in “Succession.” Her additional screenplay credits include “The Wonder” and “Mothering Sunday.”
Blanchett is represented by the CAA and Burch by United agents UTA, Davislow Group and Giles Smart.
Searchlight’s vice president of development and production, Pete Spencer and creative executive Cameron Chidsey oversee the projects for the indie label and report to the production and development heads of Katie Goodson-Thomas and Dantram Nguyen. Film4 Director Farhana Bhula and development and production executive Alice Whittemore oversee the Film4 project. Farhana Bhula is executive producer of Film4, while Zoe Edwards, Harry Dixon and James Green are executive producers of House Productions.
