Atonement

[BluBonnet]

‘Atonement’: Kenneth Branagh, Hiam Abbass & Boyd Holbrook Teaming On Feature About Iraq War Veteran Seeking Forgiveness

Kenneth Branagh, Hiam Abbass (Succession) and Boyd Holbrook (A Complete Unknown) are teaming on a feature adaptation of 2012 New Yorker article Atonement.

Atonement, which rolls cameras this month in Jordon and Texas, is about a troubled marine who seeks to reconcile with the survivors of an Iraqi family he and his unit fired on back in 2003.

The movie is the feature directorial debut of Reed Van Dyk, who was Oscar-nominated for his 2017 short DeKalb Elementary. Based on a 911 call, that pic followed a gunman who enters an elementary school and encounters a compassionate employee.

The ensemble trio lead the movie that comes 13 years after Dexter Filkins’ resonant New Yorker article, which was also titled Atonement. Delving into the psychological and emotional aftermath of the Iraq War on both Iraqi civilians and U.S. Marines, it centered on Lu Lobello, haunted by memories of a deadly incident in Baghdad, whose journey of guilt and remorse leads him to reach out to Nora, the sole surviving member of the family he believes he may have harmed.

Decorated British Oscar-winner Branagh (Belfast) can soon be seen in Apple TV+’s Mayday opposite Ryan Reynolds. Emmy-nominee Abbass is best known for her role as the icy Marcia Roy in Succession, while Holbrook recently played Johnny Cash in Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.

Shooting will commence this month on Atonement, which marks the first major production to shoot at Talon Entertainment’s recently renovated and reopened South Side Studios. Tim and Trevor White are producing on behalf of Star Thrower. Van Dyk will also produce alongside David Wulf and Steven Demmler of Talon Entertainment. Wayne L Rogers will EP.