Cineuropa has taken a closer look at Morgan Matthews’ new effort, a drama titled 500 Miles, now in post-production. German sales agent Beta Cinema, in charge of its world rights, will be selling it to potential buyers at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin (13-19 February – see the news).

Matthews is a BAFTA-winning director and the founder of Minnow Films. His most notable films include Williams [+leggi anche:
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scheda film], The Last Survivors, 7/7: One Day in London and The Fallen. He helmed his acclaimed first feature, X+Y [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] (aka A Brilliant Young Mind), starring Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins, with Origin Pictures and directed the long-awaited The Railway Children Return, for StudioCanal.

Based on the 2018 book Charlie and Me: 421 Miles from Home by Mark Lowery, the script of 500 Miles is penned by Malcolm Campbell. The story begins at the crack of dawn, when Finn and his younger brother Charlie run away from home to avoid getting split up by their separating parents. They're trying to reach the wild west coast of Ireland, home to their beloved and eccentric granddad, John, whom they haven't been allowed to see since all the fighting began. On their 500-mile journey across land and sea, they must survive on their smarts, charm and the kindness of strangers – especially that of a free-spirited street musician, Kait, who is escaping troubles of her own.

The cast is led by Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit [+leggi anche:
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scheda film], Living [+leggi anche:
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scheda film]), Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones), Dexter Sol Ansell (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), Clare Dunne (Herself [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Clare Dunne
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scheda film]).

The feature was shot on location in Dublin and Wicklow, Ireland, as well as in Yorkshire, England. 500 Miles is being produced by David Thompson, Alex Gordon and Martina Niland for Origin Pictures (UK), Port Pictures (Ireland) and Minnow Films (UK), with backing from Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán. Beta Cinema has already pre-sold the movie to a number of territories, including the UK and Ireland via True Brit, the Benelux via September Film, Italy via Maestro Distribution, Australia and New Zealand via Kismet Movies, the Middle East via Front Row, Greece via Feelgood Entertainment, and the former Yugoslavia via Discovery as well as airline rights via Aardwolf. The tentative release window ranges between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026.

Speaking about the pic’s acquisition for the UK and Ireland, Zygi Kamasa, CEO of True Brit, told Cineuropa: “500 Miles is an original, charming and dramatic film with a huge emotional heart that will resonate strongly with cinema audiences across the UK and Ireland. I’m excited to be working with the cast and filmmakers, many of whom I've worked with before, to bring this heartfelt British story to the big screen.”

Tassilo Hallbauer, head of Sales and Acquisitions at Beta Cinema, commented: “We are delighted to be selling 500 Miles internationally. The script takes us on an emotional, often hilariously funny, yet deeply moving, journey through some of the most beautiful parts of the UK and Ireland. In Jojo Rabbit, Roman Griffin Davis demonstrated his brilliant talent for portraying deep character roles with a unique sense of humour. With Bill Nighy's involvement, following his pivotal, Oscar-nominated performance in Living, and Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams, Origin Pictures has assembled a dream cast. 500 Miles offers top-tier escapism and will resonate with international audiences of all ages.”

Finally, David Thompson, of Origin Pictures, added: “500 Miles is hilarious and heart-wrenching and, ultimately, rather life-affirming. It has such an original take on the world and will be a truly unforgettable film.”