Academy Award and Emmy Winner Louis Gossett Jr., Melanie Liburd and Saycon Sengbloh also star in the Caribbean Island Drama
New York, NY / Curacao – November 3, 2015 – Producer Lisa Cortes (Precious) announced today that Lennie James (The Walking Dead), Colin Salmon (London Has Fallen), Alexander Karim (Zero Dark Thirty) Isaach De Bankolé (Casino Royale) and Mustafa Shakir (Quarry, HBO’s Criminal Justice) will star in Double Play, the upcoming film from director Ernest Dickerson (Juice, Never Die Alone). Academy Award and Emmy winner Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots), Melanie Liburd (Game of Thrones), Saycon Sengbloh (currently starring off-Broadway in “Eclipsed”), Bronson Pinchot (True Romance) and newcomer Dani Dare (NCIS New Orleans) will also star in this island drama. Based on Frank Martinus Arion’s internationally acclaimed novel of the same name, considered to be Arion’s magnum opus, the film is set in the 1970s on the Caribbean island of Curacao. The screenplay was written by Evan Jones and Alaric Alexander Smeets. Cortes and Gregory Elias will produce. Patrick Murguia is the Director of Photography. Kimberly Hardin, CSA is casting. The film is set to shoot on location in Curacao in November 2015.
Set in 1973 and 2010, Double Play is the story of Ostrik (Salmon)’s return to his childhood home, and the memory of a fateful day more than 25 years prior. Over the course of that day, and a long-standing game of dominoes, the fates of four men (James, Karim, De Bankolé, and Shakir) are revealed through a journey of love, loss and deadly betrayal. Shooting on location in Curacao, the film will utilize its surroundings by emphasizing the beauty of the landscape, the music and the people. Great local music of the era will be performed by Aymee Nuviola (Celia).
Says Elias, “What is important to me about this project is the role of women as described in the book and portrayed in the film. It underscores that regardless how disrespectful and humiliating men often treat their wives or loved ones, womens’ strong will, pride and determination to survive always prevails. The message of this picture is relevant and unchanged in many societies around the Globe today.” Says Cortes, “It’s a great honor to bring Mr. Arion’s classic novel to the screen. I’m delighted by the depth and scope of talent that we’ve assembled to tell this beautifully moving and universal story. Lisa Cortes is known for her work on Precious, The Woodsman, and Shadowboxer. Gregory Elias, producer of the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival and Curacao International Film Festival Rotterdam is financing through his Foundation, “Fundashon Bon Intenshon”.
Lennie James is represented by UTA, Independent Talent Group and Lasher Group. Colin Salmon is represented by the Curtis Brown Group and Lighthouse Entertainment. Alexander Karim is represented by Actors in Scandinavia and Luber Roklin Entertainment. Isaach de Bankolé is represented by the Aura Agency and Margrit Polak Management. Mustafa Shakir is represented by TCA/Jed Root and Robyn Bluestone Management. Louis Gossett Jr. is represented by Michael Mann Management. Melanie Liburd is represented by Silver Lining Management. Saycon Sengbloh is represented by Stewart Talent Agency. Director Ernest Dickerson is represented by Verve Talent and Literary Agency and Untitled Entertainment. Dani Dare is represented by Abrams Artists Agency. Bronson Pinchot is represented by Bohemia Group.