IFC Films is showing off the official trailer for the period drama Ophelia based on Lisa Klein’s award-winning novel. Star Wars‘ Daisy Ridley takes on the titular role with George MacKay (Captain Fantastic) playing Hamlet in the 2019 theatrical release.
The cast also includes Naomi Watts as Queen Gertrude/Mechtild, Clive Owen as Claudius, Tom Felton as Laertes, and Devon Terrell as Horatio. Claire McCarthy (The Waiting City) directed from a screenplay by Semi Chellas (Mad Men).
“In this current environment where women are both in front and behind the camera in a more empowered way, I think we want to see women who are complex and flawed and human. And in this version of Hamlet, we see Ophelia in a different way – she’s no longer just a tragic victim. We see her take currency and agency in her life, which I think is really fresh. So, from a filmmaking perspective and as a woman, this story is so exciting to me,” said director McCarthy.
McCarthy’s behind the scenes team includes director of photography Denson Baker (Victoria), production designer Dave Warren (Hugo), costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini (Tale of Tales), and hair & make-up designer Alessandro Bertolazzi (Suicide Squad). Luke Dunkley (The Crown) is the editor and Steven Price (Gravity) composed the music.
Paul Hanson’s Covert Media financed and produced. Daniel Bobker, Ehren Kruger, and Sarah Curtis served as producers, with Mathew Hart and Elissa Friedman executive producing.
Ophelia will be released in theaters on June 28, 2019. The PG-13 rated drama will be available On Demand and digital on July 3, 2019.
The Plot, Courtesy of IFC Films:
Ophelia is a dynamic re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet told from an unexpected point of view. Set in the 14th century but spoken in a contemporary voice, Ophelia takes center stage in the untold story of her tragic romance with Hamlet and her relationship with his mother, Queen Gertrude (Watts).
A wild and motherless child, Ophelia (Ridley) is taken into Elsinore Castle under the wing of Queen Gertrude and becomes her most trusted lady-in-waiting. Growing into a beautiful and intelligent young woman, she soon captures the attention of the handsome Prince Hamlet (MacKay). While she learns the ways of power and plotting in court, an undeniable love between Ophelia and the Prince blossoms in secret.
As war brews with a neighboring kingdom, lust and betrayal are tearing Elsinore apart from within – the King has been murdered, driving Prince Hamlet into downward spiral of vengeful torment. Ophelia must decide between her ¬ true love or her own life and devises a plan to escape Elsinore forever, in order to protect a very dangerous secret.
