Cary Fukunaga’s career has really taken off thanks to directing the entire first season of the critically acclaimed “True Detective,” but the writing was on the wall from the jump. His feature film debut with “Sin Nombre” won the 2009 Sundance Film Festival Award for Best Direction, but all the awards aside, the talent was clearly in abundance. “Jane Eyre" with Michael Fassbender and Mia Wasikowska demonstrated that great actors wanted to work with this filmmaker and his “True Detective” breakthrough really just seemed like an inevitability.
Now the award-winning filmmaker has teamed up with A24 Films to develop an untitled drama based on the true story of Joe and Jadin Bell. Fukunaga will direct, and “Brokeback Mountain” screenwriters Larry McMurty and Diana Ossana will pen the script. A24 will produce along with Fukunaga’s Parliament of Owls production company and several other companies including Red Crown Productions and VisionChaos Productions. Here’s the synopsis based on a A24 press release:
The project is based upon the true story of Oregonian father-and-son Joe and Jadin Bell. Jadin, a fifteen-year-old openly gay sophomore, took his own life after being both bullied at high school and struggling for acceptance from the people closest to him. In the wake of Jadin’s suicide, Joe is plunged into a sea of remorse and regret. Attempting to work through his grief, Joe sets out on a walk across America, hoping to promote awareness about the consequences of prejudice to anyone he encounters along the way.
“Joe and Jadin Bell’s story is a poignant reminder of how precious life is, and a life-affirming example of love transcending the prejudice and victimization familiar to many,” said A24. “Cary is a truly exceptional filmmaker. We are honored to help bring his vision of this incredible true story to screen. With the legendary talents of Larry and Diana writing the script, we have no doubt this will be a profoundly emotional and unforgettable film.”
Fukunaga has “Beasts of No Nation” on deck which is sure to make headlines and waves as the first Netflix-acquired feature film that could be a serious Oscar contender.
