Production starts on Melissa Leo 9/11 drama The Space Between

Travis Fine wrote and is directing the story of a stranded flight attendant on September 11 2001 who embarks on a cross-country drive with a young Arab-American boy to determine the fate of his father working in the World Trade Center.

The film will also shoot in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Brad William Henke and newcomer Anthony Keyvan round out the key cast.

Fine, whose acting credits include Girl, Interrupted and The Thin Red Line, conceived the story in 2004 while working as an airline pilot for American Airlines. He developed the screenplay at UCLA’s screenwriting programme in 2008.

“The Space Between takes us back to a day and time we will never forget, and Travis has approached this seminal event with a unique story,” Leo said. “He takes on the backdrop of 9/11 with a great deal of sensitivity, respect and reverence.”

“I’m moved and honoured that Melissa, AnnaSophia, Brad and Anthony are putting their faith in me and this story,” Fine said. “Their extraordinary talents will take this very personal script to a level I could not have dreamed of when [the characters of] Omar and Montine were first formed in my imagination.”

Leo is represented by ICM. Robb is represented by CAA.