Imagine two immigrant identical twins who speak a private language and communicate only with each other, despite attempts by others to socialize them. And when they’re separated, the pair goes catatonic, but together they craft elaborate works of fiction. Sounds like a strange, beguiling story? Well, it is, and it’s a true story, and it’s the basis of Polish director Agnieszka Smoczyńska‘s feature debut, “The Silent Twins.”
Fresh off its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival this May, “The Silent Twins” makes its stateside theatrical debut this September. Based on the true story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, twins from Barbados who build an insular world between themselves after their family moves to Wales. Smoczyńska bases her film on Marjorie Wallace‘s 1986 book of the same name.
“The Silent Twins” stars Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrance as June and Jennifer. The movie also stars Nadine Marshall, Treva Etienne, Michael Smiley, Jodhi May, and Jack Bandeira. Kinga Preis, Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, and Tony Richardson round out the main cast.
The Criterion Collection snatched up home video rights to “The Silent Twins” shortly after its Cannes debut earlier this year, a rare move for the company. If anything, that hints that Smoczyńska’s debut is a special film. Read our review of the film here.
“The Silent Twins” hits theaters on September 16, courtesy of Focus Features. Watch the trailer for the film below.