Christine Alderson's UK-based production company Ipso Facto Films is working with Italy's Orisa Produzioni and South Africa's Film Afrika to Produce political thriller Black Heart.

The story is based on the real diaries of ex-mercenary Jean Vaudrec. Mads Mikkelsen and Sam Riley are in discussions to play estranged brothers who try to expose illegal ivory for arms trade.

Cristiano Bortone, from Red Like The Sky, directs from a script by Fausto Brizzi and Marco Martani, the writers behind The Night Before The Finals hits.

Christine Alderson (Irina Palm) and Lorianne Hall will produce for Ipso Facto and Orisa.

Hall said: 'We are extremely pleased to be a part of a film that exposes the horror and conspiracy of the ivory contraband trade which yields criminal organizations nine billion euros per year. This is a story that needs to be told and is extremely poignant given the current affairs in the world. Having such a talented team in our writers and director we are confident that they will deliver an immensely moving and of course thrilling film.'