Silberling to Helm Immigration Flick

Social change is not an easy or inexpensive venture, but that has never stopped filmmakers from trying their hand at cultural topics and thought provoking insights. Tom McCarthy has been tapped by Groundswell Productions and Participant Productions to pen and helm their newest venture to be titled The Visitor. Participant and Groundswell are partnering to co-finance the comedic dramat, which is being produced by Mary Jane Skalski’s Next Wednesday Prods.

Groundswell Productions was formed in February by Michael London after raising more that $100 million in equity. The flick marks McCarthy’s first return to the director chair since his 2003 indie hit “The Station Agent”. McCarthy has not been entirely out of the creative loop in the interlude however, having held acting spots in several productions. The current project will bring the director back together with several key members of his “Station Agent” team, including Skalaski, his producing partner. “Station Agent” received notice at Sundance and was picked up by Miramax for distribution.

McCarthy’s “The Visitor” will focus on a widower (Richard Jenkins – “North Country”) who lives a mundane existence as a college economics professor. His world is turned upside down when he meets two illegal immigrants, one of whom he befriends and tires to help when discovered by U.S. immigration authorities. According to Ricky Strauss, overseeing production for Participant, “‘Visitor’ isn’t just about an unlikely friendship; it’s also about the experience of being an American in today’s times.” Groundswell and Participant, formed to co-finance pics with socio-political storylines, were both pursuing the project when they decided to partner. Production is set to begin October 2 in New York.