Eddie Izzard.
British comedian and actor Eddie Izzard has joined the cast of Marion Pilowsky’s directorial feature debut, The Call Back.
Set to begin production in Adelaide and surrounds October 30, the comedy will also star French actress Vanessa Guide (The New Adventures of Aladdin), and Aussies Emily Taheny (Get Krack!n), Luke McKenzie (Wentworth), Hugh Sheridan (Packed to the Rafters), Tina Bursill (Wish You Were Here), Susie Youssef (How Not To Behave) and Tiriel Mora (Happy Feet).
The film is centred around Ronnie (Taheny), a struggling restaurateur who is mired in debt and the fallout from her previous short-lived romance with British actor Henry (Izzard). Ronnie’s now living with laidback, loyal Jeff (McKenzie), but her world is turned upside down when Henry returns to Australia with his French lover Sophie (Guide) in tow.
Of the cast, writer-director Marion Pilowsky said: “I am incredibly happy that this talented group of actors has decided to join us on our South Australian adventure.”
Pilowsky has EP’d films such as Little Fish and Being Julia, and produced Sleuth and My Five Last Girlfriends. However, in recent years she has also turned her hand to writing and directing. Her short The Ride was nominated for a Jury Prize at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, and her most recent film What We Know was the only Australian film invited to the Edinburgh Film Festival last year.
Pilowsky co-wrote the The Call Back with Lee A. Sellars, and will via Corner Table Productions, with Sue Murray (Charlie’s Country, Ten Canoes) and David Willing (My Last Five Girlfriends).
Fox International Productions, Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) are the films’ investors, with 20th Century Fox distributing in Australia.
President of Fox International Productions Tomas Jegeus said: “Eddie Izzard will bring his impeccable skills as an actor to Marion’s wonderful script. We are thrilled he is joining this very talented cast and crew and very much looking forward to production getting underway in Australia.”
London-based Independent will handle international sales.