Irish film selected for prestigious showcase at Cannes
Directed by Rebekah Fortune (Just Charlie), it stars Rory Kinnear (James Bond, Men, The Imitation Game) and Academy Award-nominee Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, The Apprentice, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3).
The film, made in Galway last year, introduces rising Irish talent Ezra Carlisle in his first major screen role.
The selection marks a significant milestone for the film, which will be presented to international buyers and festival programmers as part of the exclusive Great 8 spotlight - an initiative that has previously launched acclaimed titles such as Charlotte Wells' Aftersun, Rose Glass's Saint Maud, and Rich Peppiatt's Kneecap.
Written by Richard Brabin, the film follows eight-year-old Leo (Carlisle) - curious, wise and full of imagination. His best friend is a massive shark - half sculpture, half myth - that crashed through the roof of his house one night when his dad, Peter (Kinnear), gave shape to what he couldn't say out loud.
Leo's world is full of questions: why do grown-ups act so strangely? Where did Mum go five years ago? And will Dad ever come down from the clouds - or at least remember to do the shopping?
Peter's either buried in big, bonkers art projects or barely speaking, so Leo daydreams vividly and shares his secrets with the shark, who might just be listening but can't speak back.
Then Anya (Bakalova) bursts into their lives: a spirited au pair with her own questions to shatter the silence and answers more honest than Leo has ever heard before. Her fearless warmth and energy brings back colour to their world and uplifts their lives.
The Great 8 showcase is produced by the BFI and British Council, with thanks to BBC Film and Film4.
The film will be available for acquisition at the Cannes Marché du Film, with international sales handled by Bankside Films.
Learning to Breathe Under Water is produced by Patrick O'Neill for Wildcard and Jack Tarling for Shudder Films, in co-production with KeyFilm and One Wave Films, and in association with Éiru Films.
The project was supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, the UK Global Screen Fund, Ffilm Cymru Wales, the WRAP Fund, the Netherlands Film Fund, Dias Feld, Finite Films, Bankside Films, and Three Point Capital.
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