Thomasin McKenzie, a breakout star of “Jojo Rabbit” and also “Leave No Trace” is now going to play American ballet dancer Joy Womack in biopic “Joika.”
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The film, written and directed by James Napier Robertson, is among the projects being sold at the upcoming online Cannes market. The film is scheduled to shoot in New Zealand in early 2021, where production is already is prep and will “utilize innovative digital technology to navigate ongoing pandemic restrictions,” according to a statement by the New Zealand Film Commission.
“Joika” is based on the story of Joy Womack, one of only two American women to ever enter Moscow’s infamous Bolshoi Ballet Academy. “Testing the limits of dedication, determination, sacrifice and virtuosity, and spurred on by the passions of first love, Joy’s leap into the unknown touched perfection,” Embankment said. Womack ended up graduating from the main training program and getting a contract offer before returning to the US where she now dances with the Boston Ballet.
Womack is personally overseeing McKenzie’s training for the film, and will serve as the actress’ double. In a statement, the production was said to “utilize innovative digital technology to navigate ongoing pandemic restrictions” as New Zealand reopens for production.
Producer Tom Hern said: “We are delighted New Zealand is leading the way back to set during these challenging and extraordinary new times – and are even more pleased that ‘Joika’ will be part of this first wave of greenlit films, post-crisis.”
