Picturehouse Entertainment announces their acquisition of Sophie Hyde’s new feature film, ANIMALS, which is due for release on 2 August 2019.
Based on the novel of the same name by Emma Jane Unsworth and starring Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat as best friends Laura and Tyler, the film will have its European premiere at Sundance Film Festival London on Friday, 31 May 2019. Animals was developed by Sarah Brocklehurst Productions and Closer Productions, with the assistance of Creative England and Screen Australia. It is produced by BAFTA-nominee Sarah Brocklehurst with Rebecca Summerton and Sophie Hyde for Closer Productions and Cormac Fox for Vico Films. Cornerstone Films is handling sales and is co-repping North America together with UTA.
Clare Binns – Joint MD of Picturehouse Entertainment: “Audiences are going to love a night on the tiles with Sophie Hyde’s Animals. It’s fresh, dynamic and obscenely hilarious, and a unique, unflinching take on contemporary womanhood. It has a truthfulness about the dilemmas we all face, and this mix of comedy and honesty makes Hyde one of the most fearless and exciting directors around.”
Cornerstone Films’ Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder commented: “Animals is a bold and unabashed portrait of modern women from the immensely talented Sophie Hyde. We are delighted to have Picturehouse Entertainment on board to release the film in the UK.”
Laura and Tyler are two girls who like to party – drink, drugs and general debauchery infuse their lives while their careers and lives remain on hold. As they drift into their thirties, reality begins to bite, but Laura and Tyler will not be tamed so easily.
When aspiring writer Laura meets the devilishly handsome musician, Jim, sparks fly. As their relationship intensifies, Laura’s friendship with Tyler comes under pressure. Tyler wants to keep the party going, living a life without limitation as Laura begins to settle into a relationship with Jim. But nothing is ever that simple, and Laura begins to struggle with a more straight-laced approach to life.
As the fabric of the friendship between Laura and Tyler begins to fray, the bond between these two siren soulmates starts to implode. With their old life starting to slip away they face a crossroads. As they battle with the realities of life, new opportunities present themselves that might carry them beyond their past hedonism.
A celebration of female friendship and the choices we make, ANIMALS is an honest, unconventional and very funny snapshot of two very modern women.
ANIMALS will have its European Premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival: London on Friday 31 May. Tickets sold out in record time, making ANIMALS the fastest-selling film in the history of the festival. Sophie Hyde will be in attendance at this year’s Sundance Film Festival: London in Q&A.
