Belle and Sebastian frontman’s directorial debut underway in Glasgow, Emily Browning joins cast with Hannah Murray and Olly Alexander, Metrodome handles UK.

Belle and Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch’s feature directorial debut God Help the Girl, whose cast was bolstered recently by the addition of Sucker Punch and Sleeping Beauty star Emily Browning, got underway yesterday [July 9] in Glasgow.

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Browning joins Brit rising stars Olly Alexander and Hannah Murray in the story of a girl (Browning) who uses songwriting as a crutch to combat her demons and connects with two like-minded musicians (Murray and Alexander). Elle Fanning had previously been attached.

Barry Mendel produces with Carole Sheridan of Glasgow-based Singer Films and Chris Curling and Phil Robertson of London-based Zephyr Films on board as executive producers.

Metrodome handles UK rights with the deal negotiated by Metrodome head of acquisitions Joel Kennedy and HanWay MD Thorsten Schumacher.

Murdoch started writing the songs for the project in 2003 and in 2009, recruited female singers to record the concept album God Help The Girl as a precursor to the film. His songs have features in films including Juno, (500) Days of Summer, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, High Fidelity and The Devil Wears Prada.