A Sky original film called The Hanging Sun has been given the closing slot at the 79th Venice International Film Festival. The annual film festival promotes international cinema in all its forms and celebrates the best productions.
Other notable films that will be featured at the festival are Noah Baumbach’s White Noise, Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling and Blonde, a drama about Marilyn Monroe. Each films that will be shown is split into different categories, The Hanging Sun falls under the non-competition, fiction category of the festival.
It’s directed by Francesco Carrozzini, and produced by Sky Studios, along with leading Italian production companies Cattleya and Groenlandia. Here’s everything you need to know about the British-Italian film ahead of its premiere.
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What is The Hanging Sun about?
The Hanging Sun is based on the novel “Midnight Sun” by Jo Nesbø, which follows a man called Jon who is fleeing to an isolated corner of Norway in order to get away from Oslo’s biggest crime lord The Fisherman. Jon travels so far north that the sun never sets.
He takes refuge in a shepherd’s cabin in the wilderness with the help of a bereaved mother Lea and her young son Knut. But Jon’s hopes are being shattered when he discovers that The Fisherman’s men are getting closer.
The film has been adapted and written by Stefano Bises. Sky have previously worked with the film writer on the drama ZeroZeroZero.
Who’s in the cast?
Jessica Brown Findlay
Jessica Brown Findlay is best known for playing the role of Lady Sybil Crawley in ITV's Downton Abbey and Emelia Conan Doyle in the comedy-drama film Albatross. Some viewers might recognise her as Beverly Penn in the film adaptation of Mark Helprin’s Winter’s Tale.
Alessandro Borghi
Alessandro Borghi is an Italian actor, who won the David di Donatello for Best Actor for his portrayal of Stefano Cucchi in the film On My Skin. Currently he is part of the main cast of Suburra and Suburra: Blood on Rome.
Sam Spruell
Sam Spruell is known for his villainous roles. He portrayed Oleg Malankov in Taken 3, Finn in Snow White and the Huntsman as well as Swarm in Doctor Who: Flux.
Frederick Schmidt
Frederick Schmidt has played in a number of well-known films. These include Mission: Impossible - Fallout and Angel Has Fallen. He also stars in the DC series Supergirl, where he plays Metallo.
Peter Mullan
Peter Mullan has been active in the acting industry since 1988. He is best known for My Name Is Joe, for which he won Best Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Charles Dance
Many will recognise Charles Dance from Game of Thrones, in which he played Tywin Lannister. He is also known for playing Dr Jonathan Clemens in Alien 3 and Benedict in Last Action Hero.
Raphael Vicas
Raphael Vicas has appeared in Sainsbury’s 2015 Christmas advert and the series Humans. The Hanging Sun will be Raphael’s first major acting role.
When is The Hanging Sun out?
The Hanging Sun will premiere at this year’s 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 10, 2022 and land in cinemas on September 12. It will be available to watch on Sky Cinema later this year, which can be accessed on NOW TV.
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