Norris shoots Broken

by Naman Ramachandran

17/10/2011 - Rufus Norris has commenced principal photography at UK locations for his feature debut Broken. The film is based on the eponymous novel by Daniel Clay and adapted for the screen by Mark O’Rowe (Boy A [trailer]).

The cast includes Tim Roth, Cillian Murphy, Rory Kinnear, Robert Emms, Zana Marjanovic and Bill Milner and introduces Eloise Laurence. The film follows Skunk Cunningham, an eleven year old girl living in North London with her older brother Jed (Milner), their father Archie (Roth) and au pair Katya. She witnesses a violent attack that changes her life.

The novel was published by Harper Press and went on to be shortlisted for The Commonwealth Writers' Best First Novel Award and The Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award, as well as being nominated as one of Amazon’s best debut novels of 2008.

Cuba Pictures acquired the screen rights for Broken and Dixie Linder, Nick Marston, Tally Garner and Bill Kenwright will produce the film that is also backed by BBC Films, the BFI Film Fund, Lip Sync and Bill Kenwright Ltd.

Christine Langan, Head of BBC Films, said, “Rufus Norris is one of the most exciting and visionary directors working today and it’s a thrill to support his debut film. With Mark O’Rowe’s beautifully crafted script and a glittering ensemble cast, Broken promises to capture the hearts of audiences worldwide.”

BBC Films also produced Norris’ short film King Bastard. Norris is known for his acclaimed plays Festen and Vernon God Little and his opera Don Giovanni.