Focus Features buys international rights to ‘Normal People’
Date Posted: March 26, 2019
Focus Features has picked up a number of international rights to Normal People, the feature film drama shot in Northern Ireland with funding support from Northern Ireland Screen.
The film, which stars Liam Neeson and Lesley Manville, will be distributed through Universal Pictures International (UPI) in the UK and further international territories.
Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Good Vibrations, Cherrybomb), the film follows a couple whose long marriage has brought an easy rhythm to their relationship. That balance is disrupted when Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer, and the pair face new challenges as her treatment gets underway.
Brian J. Falconer produced for Out of Orbit, with David Holmes for Canderblinks Films and Piers Tempest for Tempo Productions. The film is based on a script from Irish playwright Owen McCafferty.
Bleecker Street previously acquired US rights, meaning the film has now completely sold out worldwide aside from Canada, which is under negotiation.
The film also received funding from Head Gear Films and the BFI.
