EXCLUSIVE: Screen can reveal a first look at Emily Atef’s English-language debut Call Me Queen, led by Eliane Umuhire and Denise Gough, with Dominic West and Laurent Lafitte joining the international cast.
The production has wrapped filming in Nairobi, Kenya.
Adapted from Lara Santoro’s 2007 novel Mercy, the film depicts a friendship between an Irish journalist in Kenya and a Rwandan woman, who pair up to combat the AIDS crisis in the 1990s.
Alongside Rwandan-French actress Umuhire and Gough on the cast are Charlie Carrick, who is in Kristen Stewart’s Cannes Un Certain Regard title The Chronology Of Water, and Danny Sapani; plus Kenyan actors Michelle Tiren, Nice Githinj and Lwanda Jawar.
Gian-Piero Ringel produces for Germany’s Ringel Film, with David Thion for France’s Les Films Pelleas; and from the UK, Catherine Townsend for Cowboy Films and Alexandra Stone for Streetcar Productions.
Co-producers are Paul Zischler, Martin Rehbock and Appie Matere, with executive producers Charles Steel for Cowboy Films and Mo Abudu.
Atef describes the film as “a cinematic celebration of empowerment and the strength found in community and collective action.”
“To show the strength that emerges when people come together to challenge the status quo and reclaim their voice, is central to the film - something I believe strongly resonates today,” said Atef.
“This story is a powerful mirror that reflects both the fight for emancipation and our shared humanity,” said Ringel.
“Emily has drawn a moving portrait of friendship-turned-resistance, a meeting of two women against all odds,” said Global Constellation’s Fabien Westerhoff.
Global Constellation was formed last month through the integration of Film Constellation and Global Screen.
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