ScreenDaily is reporting that Radiant Films International has secured a deal to sell the international rights for John Butler’s new drama Handsome Devil to distributors at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.
Handsome Devil is one of 8 Irish Film Board-backed films that will screen as part of the largest Irish contingent in the festival’s history. It has nabbed a prime slot, world premiering on Sunday September 11th at 8.45pm. The film represents Butler’s second appearance at the festival, having premiered debut feature The Stag in 2013. ICM will handle US sales for the film.
In Handsome Devil, two very different boys are forced to share a room together at their rugby-mad boarding school. Ned’s an effete, sensitive musician and Conor the star outhalf on the rugby team. Over the course of the school year, the boundaries between them are eroded as they become friends. Two teachers fight for the souls of the boys, Moe Dunford playing the rugby coach Pascal and Andrew Scott playing Mr Sherry, an inspirational English teacher. Each has their own agenda.
Handsome Devil reunites Butler and Andrew Scott, who starred in The Stag, with lead roles for Moe Dunford (Vikings, Patrick’s Day) and Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones). The young cast is led by Fionn O’Shea and Nick Galitzine (one of the 2015 Screen Stars of Tomorrow), with support from Ruairi O’Connor, Jay Duffy, Mark Lavery, and Jamie Hallahan. The film also features cameo performances from Ardal O’Hanlon, Amy Huberman, Norma Sheahan, Mark Doherty, and Hugh O’Conor.
Post-production took place at Windmill Lane Pictures with The Stag editor John O’Connor. Rebecca O’Flanagan and Rob Walpole of Treasure Entertainment produce, reuniting with Butler. Key crew include DOP Cathal Watters who has shot two of Treasure’s previous projects, Dare to be Wild and Viva; production designer Ferdia Murphy, costume designer Kathy Strachan and sound recordist Hugh Fox, all of whom worked with Butler on The Stag. Casting was by Louise Kiely.
Speaking on the announcement Radiant president and CEO Mimi Steinbauer said:
We knew off the bat that we wanted to add the charming and delightfully funny Handsome Devil to our slate. It’s a real crowd-pleaser. We knew we had to be the ones to share this film with our international partners and look forward to doing so in Toronto.
Handsome Devil
Actors: Nick Galitzine, Fionn O’Shea, Moe Dunford, Andrew Scott, Jay Duffy, Michael McElhatton
Ned and Conor are forced to share a bedroom at their boarding school. The loner and the star athlete at this rugby-mad school form an unlikely friendship until it’s tested by the authorities. Set in a fee-paying private school, Handsome Devil is a coming-of-age story that pokes fun at Ireland’s rugby culture.
