The character-driven romantic drama Arthur & Clara, the feature debut of screenwriter and director Kieran Bourne’s (Poles, I Am Pilate), is set to receive its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival, which runs Oct. 29-Nov. 5.
The independent film, which also marks the first foray into feature filmmaking by production company Candid Broads Productions (The Date, Swim Sistas), stars Mirren Mack (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Hedda) and CJ Beckford (A Thousand Blows, Blitz). Beckford plays a filmmaker, while Mack portrays an actress who both run away to the same farmhouse hoping to find themselves. Instead, they discover that they only needed one person to truly see them.
“Set in the quiet isolation of the British countryside, Arthur & Clara is an intimate exploration of identity and genuine connection,” Candid Broads says.
“Arthur & Clara is a story of genuine human connection in an increasingly isolated world, and at a time where most interactions with strangers are no longer in person, it felt important for me to tell it,” explained Bourne. “Whilst centred on a bond between two people, it has the ultimate mission of showing the connection we should have with ourselves. It’s a story I hope audiences will resonate with for years to come.”
Producer and Candid Broads founder Oriane Pick shared: “From the moment we read the script, we knew it spoke directly to the kind of stories we want to champion at Candid Broads. Having followed Kieran’s journey from short form to now, we’re thrilled to support his first feature and bring this poetic, emotionally resonant film to life.” Anais Ferrato serves as co-producer for Candid Broads.
Ilias Harcha serves as executive producer alongside Hollis Hill, Rodney Baty and Ken Moreno for H3 ENT Company, and Maria Ishak for Mischief International. Tamás Apor Méder (Aman, Praeis, The Bull) is the director of photography on the film, on which Lucy Amos (One Life, Bad Sisters, Say Nothing) handled casting. The film was shot on location in Kent earlier this year.
THR can now exclusively premiere first-look images from Arthur & Clara, featuring Beckford and Mack. Check out the images throughout this post.
