Focus Features has picked up a number of international rights to 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. Brian J. Falconer produced for Out of Orbit, with 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. The film also received funding from Head Gear Films and the BFI.
Normal People will be distributed through Universal Pictures International (UPI) in the UK and further international territories. Bleecker Street previously acquired US rights. Canadian rights are still under negotiation.