Bon Cop, Bad Cop director Erik Canuel has signed to direct My Oma for Toronto-based January Films.

January’s Julia Rosenberg is producer while Andro Steinborn, former managing director of X Filme International, is co-producer. The screenplay is by Canadian writers Claudia Casagrande and Andrea Blundell.

The Canada-Germany co-production (an Italian partner may enter the equation) will feature Marianne Sägebrecht  as Oma, a quirky senior citizen who shows up unannounced at her grand-daughter’s Rome apartment with a plan to meet the Pope. Sägebrecht is best-known for her role in Baghdad Café.

Canuel told Screen International, “This is the right project and the right time with the right people. I’m overwhelmed with the prospect of working with Marianne and excited to find the brilliant actress who will help us bring this great film to life.”

Casting director Kerry Barden is assisting the production in casting the role of the grand-daughter, Martina.

“Even though he’s an amazing visual stylist, Erik is first and foremost all about the actors,” Rosenberg said. “He’s perfect for this. We’re so lucky to have him on board.”

The film is scheduled to shoot in March or April next year in Toronto, Cologne and Rome.

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