Divided Against Themselves: László Nemes Begins Production on Broken Family Drama “Orphan”

For his third feature (in a row), László Nemes is going back into the history books for his next project set to month into production this June. Set in 1957’s Budapest, Orphan follows a young Jewish boy whose mother has raised him in the hope that his father will return from the camps. These hopes are shattered when a brutish stranger appears on the doorstep to take his family back. Variety reports that the project sees Nemes reteam with cinematographer Mátyás Erdély and his co-writer partner in Clara Royer. Producers onboard include Pioneer Pictures’ Ildiko Kemeny and Ferenc Szale, Good Chaos’ Mike Goodridge and Nemes himself. Mid March Media’s Gregory Jankilevitsch and Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska and AR Content’s Alexander Rodnyansky also serve as main producers. Lumen’s Juliette Schrameck and Twenty Twenty Vision Filmproduktion’s Thanassis Karathanos and Martin Hampel are co-producing. Expect this to be on many lips for a Cannes or Venice competition drop.

Nemes (who has recently found himself in muddy waters) debuted his career on a high note with masterwork Son of Saul (2015) and followed that up with the sophomore jinx in Sunset. Casting news will likely be unveiled during Cannes and we would not be surprised if we see the filmmaker re-team with one of his former players with regards to the main trio here. The project’s backdrop is during a turbulent moment in Hungary’s 20th century history. Charades and New Europe Film Sales are co-repping sales.