Fionnula Flanagan and JeremyNortham will star in the psychological thriller Checkmate, which is set tobegin production in St Petersburg on May 31.

The Thelma Productionproject marks the first collaboration between international production companyBig Star Entertainment and UK-based financiers Future Films.

Voltage Pictures is handlinginternational sales on the story of the enigmatic Lazarov family, whosecollective dark secrets culminate in a deadly finale.

First-timer Olivier Bonas will direct the picture, which also starsRussian actors Tatiana Yakovenko and Sergei Goubanov.