Ariana Harwicz, the bestselling author whose first novel “Die My Love” was brought to the screen by Lynne Ramsay, will see her latest book “Unfit” vie for a feature adaptation.
Pablo Bossi, who has produced iconic Argentinian films such as “Son of the Bride” and “Nine Queen” as well as Víctor Erice’s comeback feature “Close Your Eyes,” has optioned the rights to Harwicz’s “Unfit.” Similarly to “Die My Love,” “Unfit” is another subversive look at a mother on the edge.
Vanessa Saal, a London-based film executive with 20 years of experience across international sales, distribution, financing, acquisitions and production, will be working alongside Gloriamundi to develop, package and finance the screen adaptation of the new novel.
“Unfit” (“Perder el Juicio”) follows an Argentinean mother in France who has lost custody of her two boys. Driven by destitution and desperation, she sneaks into her in-laws’ house, kidnaps her children, sets the barn ablaze and goes on the run. “What follows is a white-knuckled road trip that explores human beings pushed to the edge. A gripping chase that questions all our assumptions — and points out our hypocrisies,” reads the feature project’s synopsis, which describes the novel as “addictively terrifying, savagely sophisticated and shockingly brilliant.”
Harwicz, who’s become one of the most prominent and distinctive voices in Latin American literature, has seen novels translated into more than 20 languages.
“Die My Love” was longlisted for the Booker International Prize and acquired by Martin Scorsese who is a producer on the film adaptation, which is directed by Lynne Ramsay and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Sissy Spacek and Nick Nolte. The film premiered in competition at Cannes and was acquired by Mubi for the U.S. and multiple other territories in splashy $24 million deal. “Die My Love” has since emerged a potent contender in the awards season, bolstered by Lawrence’s gripping performance as a woman struggling with motherhood and rebelling against society’s expectations.
Bossi, who previously founded Patagonik Films and Pampa Films, has produced over 50 feature films in Argentina. In 2012, he launched Gloriamundi Producciones in Madrid, and in 2017, he founded Tandem Films. Bossi is also a founding member of the Argentinean Federation of Film Producers and the National Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which he presided over between 2006 and 2010.
Saal is currently leading MK2 Films’ U.K. office, advising the Paris-based studio on acquisitions and productions as they grow their English language slate, which includes Kent Jones’ “Late Fame,” which stars Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee, and had its world premiere at Venice. Saal, a member of BAFTA, previously worked as managing director of sales and distribution at Protagonist Pictures where she oversaw sales and international distribution of titles including Sean Baker’s “The Florida Project” and Chloe Zhao’s “The Rider,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Lobster” and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War.” Prior to that she worked at Studiocanal and repped titles such as Tomas Alfredson’s “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy” and the Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis.”