30/10/2018 - The Irish-UK co-production starring Nora-Jane Noone and Nika McGuigan is being backed by the BFI, Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, the Wellcome Trust, Film 4, Illium and Lexis Media

Filming is under way in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for Wildfire [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Cathy Brady
film profile], the feature debut by Irish director Cathy Brady (Morning, Small Change, Wasted). The shoot will last six weeks, and award-winning cinematographer Crystel Fournier (Girlhood [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Céline Sciamma
interview: Céline Sciamma
film profile], Nico 1988 [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Susanna Nicchiarelli
film profile]) is the DoP. The producers are Tempesta Films’ Carlo Cresto-Dina (The Wonders [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alice Rohrwacher
interview: Tiziana Soudani
film profile], Happy As Lazzaro [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alice Rohrwacher
film profile]), Cowboy Films’ Charles Steel (The Last King of Scotland [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Marley [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Samson Films’ David Collins (Once [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Float Like a Butterfly [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Carmel Winters
film profile]). The producers said: “Firstly, what excited us about Wildfire was Cathy’s energy and talent, but also the unique generative process Cathy wanted for this: trying to create a film that is different because it’s made differently.”

Cathy Brady’s journey in making this movie began by casting the lead actors, Nika McGuigan (The Secret Scripture [+see also:
trailer
interview: Jim Sheridan
film profile], Traders [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Nora-Jane Noone (Brooklyn [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], The Magdalene Sisters [+see also:
trailer
film profile], The Descent [+see also:
trailer
film profile]). From there, over the course of a yearlong workshop process involving improvisations, transcripts, rehearsals, and voice and dance drills, Brady created the story and wrote the script.

Wildfire tells the story of two sisters who grew up on the fractious Irish border. When one of them, who has gone missing, finally returns home, the intense bond with her sister is re-ignited. Together they unearth their mother’s past, but as they uncover the secrets and resentments that have been buried deep down, it all threatens to overwhelm them.

An Irish-UK co-production, Wildfire was supported through development and production by the BFI (using funds from the National Lottery), Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and the Wellcome Trust. Film4 and Sulcata Productions also co-financed the production. Lizzie Francke, Celine Haddad, Lauren Dark, Emma Duffy, Robert Halmi and Jim Reeve are the executive producers.

British firm Great Point is handling the world sales, and head of sales Nada Cirjanic and her team will be introducing the project to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.