Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville to star in Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn's Normal People

#IrishFilm: Bleecker Street gets US rights to Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn’s Normal People

ScreenDaily is reporting that prestige distributor Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. rights for Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn’s drama Normal People.

The film stars Irish acting legend Liam Neeson and Phantom Thread‘s Lesley Manville in the lead roles with a script by celebrated Irish playwright Owen McCafferty.

Joan and Tom have been married for many years. There is an ease to their relationship which only comes from spending a life time together and a depth of love which expresses itself through tenderness and humour in equal part. When Joan is unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer, the course of her treatment shines a light on their relationship as they are faced with the challenges that lie ahead and the prospect of what might happen if something were to happen to her. Normal People is a story about love, survival and the epic questions life throws at each and every one of us.

The film is the third feature from Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, who previously gave us Good Vibrations and Cherrybomb.

Normal People has been a labour of love for our incredible cast and creative team. We’re thrilled now to partner with Bleecker Street, who have such a strong history in distributing compelling, thought-provoking films. We look forward to an exciting journey with Andrew and the team.
Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn

Shooting took place this summer in Belfast. The film is a Canderblinks Films and Out of Orbit production, produced by the BAFTA award-winner Brian J. Falconer for Out of Orbit, David Holmes for Canderblinks Films, and Piers Tempest for Tempo Productions. Natascha Wharton is executive producer for the BFI, alongside Stephen Kelliher for Bankside Films, Jo Bamford for Tempo Productions, Phil Hunt and Compton Ross for Head Gear Films/Metrol Technology, and Mark Huffam.

This is such a beautiful story of love and commitment as portrayed between two of the world’s most talented actors. It’s magical to watch as they find strength and an ever-deepening connection.
Andrew Karpen, CEO – Bleecker Street

Kent Sanderson and Camille Bertrand negotiated the deal for Bleecker Street with CAA Media Finance and Bankside Films. They plan a 2019 theatrical distribution in the U.S.