Cornerstone Films is Launching Worldwide Sales at the European Film Market
London, January 31, 2023 — From award winning film-maker Polly Steele (Let Me Go, Elton John: Tantrums & Tiaras) comes the magical, lyrical and deeply romantic Irish story Four Letters of Love, based on Niall Williams' international bestselling novel. The film stars Pierce Brosnan (Black Adam, Mamma Mia, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again), two-time Academy Award nominee and BAFTA Award winner Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown, Enola Homes 1 & 2, Nolly, Ocean's 8) and Golden Globe winner Gabriel Byrne (War Of The Worlds, Hereditary) as parents of the fated lovers played by up-and-coming actors Fionn O’Shea (Dance First, Dating Amber, Normal People) and Ann Skelly (The Nevers, Kissing Candice, Rose Plays Julie). Cornerstone will handle worldwide sales and distribution and will commence sales at the European Film Market. The Reset Collective will handle the release in Australia and New Zealand.
Four Letters of Love is a Genesius Pictures, AX1 Films and Port Pictures production. It is produced by BAFTA Award nominee Debbie Gray (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Mrs. Lowry & Son) and Douglas Cummins (Let Me Go, The Girl) and is co-produced by Martina Niland (Once, Sing Street). With funding from Northern Ireland Screen, the film will start shooting in February in Northern Ireland before moving to the Republic of Ireland. Williams’ beloved novel was first published in 1997 and was translated into more than 30 languages before he adapted it for the screen. Heads of department include production designer John Leslie, cinematographer Damien Elliott, costume designer Susan Scott, hair and make-up designer Natalie Reid and editor Chris Gill ACE.
Nicholas Coughlan (O’Shea) and Isabel Gore (Skelly) are fated to be together. That is as sure as the sky is blue and the sea is ever changing. The question is whether or not they will ever find out. As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull Nicholas and Isabel together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.
One sunny winter morning, Nicholas’ father, William (Brosnan), believes he’s spoken to by God, changing his life forever. He quits his job and, following divine instruction, redirects all his passion and energy into painting, leaving his dependent wife, Bette, and son to fend for themselves.
Isabel lives a charmed, simple existence on the island, with her father (Byrne), the poet and master of the school, and her wise, intuitive mother (Bonham Carter), until the tragic day her younger brother, Sean, a musical genius, has a paralysing fit while he accompanies her dancing. Isabel, weighed down by guilt, opts to go to school on the mainland, in search of fresh experiences and a chance to forget.
Four Letters of Love is a life-affirming tale about faith and doubt, maybes and almosts, and the miracle of love.
Debbie Gray commented, “I’m thrilled to be bringing this beautiful piece of work from writer Niall Williams and director Polly Steele to the screen. A seminal piece of Irish literature and I couldn’t be more pleased with the cast and creative team that have joined us on this journey.”
Douglas Cummins also commented, “Niall Williams’ debut novel is beguiling, and utterly irresistible, and it’s an enormous privilege to be transposing it to the screen so that new audiences can join the scores of existing fans from many countries across the world who have already succumbed to its countless charms and delights.”
Cornerstone’s Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder noted, “Irish story-telling is riding a wave of success in the international marketplace, and we’re delighted to bring this beautiful romantic modern classic to the EFM for buyers to enjoy.”
Brosnan is represented by CAA, Curtis Brown, Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller & Gellman and Viewpoint. Bonham Carter is represented by Conway van Gelder Grant and Byrne by The Agency and Paradigm Talent Agency. O’Shea is represented by Curtis Brown in the UK and Lorraine Brennan in Ireland and Skelly by Conway van Gelder Grant Ltd.