Top 100 Most Anticipated Films of 2011: Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights

#11. Wuthering Heights

Director: Andrea Arnold
Writer(s): Olivia Hetreed (2003’s Girl with a Pearl Earring)
Producers: Ecosse Films’ Robert Bernstein, Kevin Loader and Douglas Rae (Nowhere Boy)
Distributor: Rights Available.

The Gist: What would you do if you were denied your soulmate? Written by Olivia Hetreed, this is based on Emily Bronte’s 1847 novel and tells the passionate tale of Heathclith (James Howson) and Cathy (Kaya Scodelario), two teenagers whose elemental love for each other creates a storm of vengeance. This is a startling vision of desire and obsession..….(more)

Cast: Kaya Scodelario, Nichola Burley, Oliver Milburn, newbie James Howson and Steve Evets (whom we discovered in Loach’s Looking for Eric).

List Worthy Reasons…: We’re huge fans of Arnold’s Fish Tank and her short film work (especially Wasp), and we look forward in seeing how she can add the funk to a tiresome old classic. With her trusted right-hand man in cinematographer Robbie Ryan and a ballsy casting decision move of picking up a non-actor lead for the role of Heathcliff — demonstrates she’s still shooting from the hip. Add this to the Arnold aesthetic which is soaked in a realism, this might become a contempo classic and carry more weight now that this critic appreciates.

Release Date/Status?: Arnold could be considered a welcomed red carpet guest as she has already been welcomed for both of her feature films in Red Road and Fish Tank. The Croisette will see a lot of traffic this year, but a May world preem is almost guaranteed as this project is well into post-production. Expect the film to be picked up during the festival.