Definitely one to watch out for later this year will be Tomato Red, As If I Am Not There writer/director Juanita Wilson’s adaptation of Daniel Woodrell’s novel of the same name.
Tomato Red follows the story of small town drifter Sammy Barlach on his search for his next cold beer and the bunch that’ll have him. When he meets the red-haired Jamalee and her beautiful brother Jason, his life is opened up in ways he could never have imagined.
The film stars Julia Garner as Jamalee, with Nick Rowe as her brother Jason, and Jake Weary as Sammy. British actress Anna Friel plays Jamalee and Jason’s mother, with Sean Tyson, Kurt Max Runte, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Trevor Lerner, and Scott A. McGillivray supporting.
Principal photography took place in British Columbia in Canada last summer. Post-production is taking place at Screen Scene with Room editor Nathan Nugent. Cinematography is by the always excellent Piers McGrail, with a soundtrack from Kevin Murphy, Thomas Haugh, and Stephen Shannon. The film is produced by Elizabeth Gill and James Flynn of Metropolitan Films/Octagon Films, and Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films. Financing comes via the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉirean, Take 5 Productions, and Screen Scene.
Tomato Red promises to be an original, funny and moving film about the struggle to get a break and our need to belong. We are still awaiting word on a release date.
Tomato Red
Actors: Julia Garner, Jake Weary, Anna Friel, Nick Roux, Douglas M. Griffin, Sean Tyson, Kurt Max Runte, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Trevor Lerner, Scott A. McGillivray
Tomato Red tells the tale of two siblings, Jamalee and Jason Merridew, and their ex-con sidekick Sammy Barlach. For Jamalee, her hair tomato red suitably matching her rage and ambition, their small town American life just won’t do. Jamelee’s dreams are made in Hollywood, among tuxedos and palm trees. Jason, blessed with drop-dead good looks, is the local object of female obsession and their ticket out of town. However the hills and hollows of the Ozarks can be a very dangerous place. Sammy is meant to be the muscle Jamalee and Jason need to get out, but not even he can protect them from everything.