Entering the third phase of her creative evolution, Antonia Campbell-Hughes transitioned from fashion into nearly two decades in front of the camera (we think back to the Cannes preemed The Other Side of Sleep and Bright Star) before stepping decisively into feature filmmaking with 2022’s It Is In Us All (a prize-winner at SXSW). Switzerland soon entered her orbit, setting the stage for this highly anticipated sophomore effort. Campbell-Hughes has described the project as “a primal howl, a white-knuckle ride that explores the devastating fragility of the human condition,” adding that it seeks “to reinstate hope and reassess what constitutes value and worth in our ricocheting society.” The Northern Ireland–born filmmaker has assembled a formidable quartet of actors, and all signs point to the project being inches away from entering into production. Here is Everything We Know So Far … about Antonia Campbell-Hughes’ Diamond Shitter.
Slowly finding funding partners, the first casting news was announced last February on what will be filmed in the backdrops of Switzerland and Ireland. Production began in March rolling into April.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of the affluent ex-pat community in Geneva. Young intern Nollaig (Cassidy) ignites a darkly visceral shift within the privileged home of her host family when she steals their precious diamonds – absorbing them into her body – in the process unmasking the deeper truths beneath their glittering privilege.
We find The Brutalist pair of Raffey Cassidy and Alessandro Nivola along with Eva Green and Ben Whishaw. Update: Andrea Riseborough and Guy Pearce replaced Green and Whishaw.
Produced by Sleeper Films’ Rory Gilmartin and Lee Magiday, Smoke Puppy’s Alan Maher, Rita Productions’ Max Karli and Pauline Gygax are co-producing. Behind the lines folks include Robbie Ryan as director of photography, Dixie Chassay as casting director, Saffron Cullane as costume designer, John Leslie as production designer, Wakana Yoshihara as hair and makeup designer, and John Walters as editor.
A Irish-Swiss-UK coproduction, filming was slated for late 2025, but we think we are now looking at an early 2026 shoot – if this is the case, they’ll be aiming for a possible Venice Film Festival presentation. Beta Cinema is handling international sales and UTA Independent Film Group is representing North American rights.
