Matthew Broderick, Sally Hawkins, and Martin Freeman have signed on to star in Simon Bird’s new film “Pretend I’m Not Here.” The movie is a comedy-drama set during World War II. Bird is making his second film as a director. His first was “Days of the Bagnold Summer” in 2019.
“Pretend I’m Not Here” tells the story of a couple who hide a Jewish perfume salesman in their home during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The screenplay was written by Lisa Owens. It is based on the novella “Comedy in a Minor Key” by Hans Keilson.
The film will be produced by Cecilia Frugiuele and Olivier Kaempfer. Their previous films include “Polite Society” and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post.”
Frugiuele and Kaempfer said they are excited to work with Bird, Owens, and the cast. They believe the film offers a fresh take on a well-known period of history.
Cornerstone will handle international sales and distribution.
Pretend I’m Not Here cast
They will launch the film at the Cannes Film Festival.
Cornerstone and CAA Media Finance will co-represent US rights. Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder from Cornerstone said the film is a powerful story. They think it will captivate audiences and spark important conversations.
Casting was done by Des Hamilton and Jo Harris. Production will start later this year in the UK and the Netherlands. The film is a co-production between Parkville Pictures, Lemming Film, and BBC Film.
Bird has also directed the BBC/Hulu comedy series “Such Brave Girls.” The show won a BAFTA TV Award for best scripted comedy in 2023. Broderick is known for films like “The Producers” and “No Hard Feelings.” Hawkins has been nominated for an Academy Award and a BAFTA for her work in “The Shape of Water” and “Happy-Go-Lucky.” Freeman has won a BAFTA and an Emmy. He has starred in films like “Black Panther” and “The Hobbit.”
