17-05-2025
Judy Davis, ‘Bridgerton's' Florence Hunt Star in ‘Butterfly Stroke'
Celsius Ent. has acquired world sales rights, excluding Switzerland, to 'Butterfly Stroke,' directed by Denis Rabaglia and starring two-time Oscar nominee Judy Davis, 'Bridgerton' breakout star Florence Hunt, Caroline Peters and Malaya Stern Takeda. The film goes into production July 28.
'Butterfly Stroke' centers on Ruth (Davis), a British swimming champion, and a woman who wants control over every aspect of her life – including its end. Diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, she sets out on a final journey to Switzerland, where assisted dying is legal.
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She calls her estranged granddaughter, Lori (Hunt), to inform her of the plan and the inheritance she'll soon receive. Lori, impulsive and headstrong in her own way, won't let Ruth slip away so easily. She races to Switzerland to stop – or at least understand – Ruth's decision.
In Zurich, Ruth's unusual attitude conflicts with the organization's routine and becomes a nightmare for her case manager. Ruth also meets her match in the fastidious Dr. Steiger (Peters), whose unflinching application of the rulebook leads to a darkly comedic standoff.
Meanwhile, Lori finds herself unexpectedly distracted by Ingrid (Stern Takeda), a charming Swiss soccer player who she can't help falling for.
As Ruth's carefully laid plans get delayed, grandmother and granddaughter find themselves stuck in a limbo that's unexpectedly funny and revealing. They begin to bridge the vast emotional chasm between them, and long buried secrets rise to the surface: including the mysterious event that derailed Ruth's Olympic future.
Davis was an Oscar nominee for 'Husbands and Wives' and 'A Passage to India,' a BAFTA winner with 'My Brilliant Career,' and is a three-time Emmy winner. Other credits include 'Nitram.'
Hunt's credits include 'Bridgerton,' Netflix's 'Cursed,' and the upcoming 'Queen at Sea' with Juliette Binoche.
Peters' credits include Sönke Wortmann's trilogy 'Der Spitzname,' 'Der Nachname' and 'Der Vorname,' all hits in Germany. Stern Takeda was the lead in 'Parallel Me' for Paramount+, and co-lead in 'Love Addicts' for Amazon Prime.
'Butterfly Stroke' is written by Nat Luurtsema, Denis Rabaglia and Jessica Townsend, and directed by Denis Rabaglia, whose credits include the miniseries 'On the High Seas' for ARTE, and feature films 'My Beloved Enemy,' 'Marcello Marcello' and 'Azzurro.'The Switzerland/U.K. co-production is produced by Michael Steiger and Michela Pini from Turnus Film, and Chris Curling and Anya Ryzhenkova from Zephyr Films. Celsius Ent.'s Thierry Wase-Bailey and Henriette Wollmann are executive producers.
Wase-Bailey said: 'We are so happy to be working with our filmmakers – second time with Chris Curling of course following our hit drama together 'The Bookshop,' and so excited to see the great Judy Davis on screen again – a double Oscar nominee no less. I literally started my film industry career selling 'Kangaroo,' starring Judy Davis and Colin Friels. and based on the D.H. Lawrence novel. Casting 'Bridgerton' breakout star Florence Hunt as the granddaughter was a masterstroke of the filmmakers and will add an intergenerational appeal. The film tackles important themes in a bold, heartfelt and humorous way and I am convinced it will strike a chord in all markets.'
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