IFC Films has snagged North American rights to feature-length stop-motion drama Memoir of a Snail, from Oscar-winning Australian writer-director Adam Elliot (Harvie Krumpet, Mary & Max). The deal was inked with Paris-based Charades and London-based Anton, which share international sales duties. The film will make its World Premiere at the Annecy Festival in June.
Synopsis: In 1970s Australia, Grace’s life is troubled by misfortune and loss. After their mother dies during pregnancy, she and her twin brother, Gilbert, are raised by their paraplegic-alcoholic former juggler father, Percy. Despite a life filled with love, tragedy strikes anew when Percy passes away in his sleep.
The siblings are forcibly separated and thrust into separate homes: Gilbert finds himself in the care of a cruel evangelical family, while Grace, grappling with intense loneliness, gradually withdraws into her shell, much like the snails she adopts. As the years pass, and despite new disappointments and sorrows, a glimmer of hope emerges when she strikes up an enduring friendship with an elderly, eccentric woman called Pinky.
The voice cast is led by Emmy winner Sarah Snook (Succession, Koala Man) as Grace Puddle, Eric Bana (Dirty John, Back to the Outback), Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook, Back to the Outback), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, ParaNorman), Dominique Pinon (Cassandre, White Fang) and Magda Szubanski (Kath & Kim, 100% Wolf).
Elliot wrote and directed Memoir of a Snail, as well as producing alongside Liz Kearney of Victoria-based studio Arenamedia. Executive producers are Robert Connolly and Robert Patterson.
The film is produced by Arena with a major investment by Screen Australia in association with Anton and Charades, developed and produced in association with VicScreen. Financing was also supported by Soundfirm, Mind the Gap Finance, Jameker, Shadowlane and the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund. Madman is distributing in Australia.
[Source: Deadline]
