The first look atLesley ManvilleinWinter of the Crowhas been unveiled. The Cold War thriller is currently filming in Warsaw, Poland,according to Deadline. The feature, helmed by Polish directorKasia Adamik,is based on a short story by acclaimed authorOlga Tokarczukand is being billed as“the surreal and cinematic world of 1981 Warsaw.”
Set in December of 1981, the feature follows British psychiatry professor Dr. Joan Andrews (Manville), who arrives in the city justwhen martial law is imposed and the country is shut down overnight. As chaos engulfs the city, Joan armed with her camera witnesses a brutal murder by the secret police and becomes a hunted fugitive on the run for her life. To survive, she is only dependent on her intellect and has a young student as an ally as she navigates the labyrinthine streets of Warsaw desperate to make the last plane out. Compelled by her conscience, she “finds the courage and determination to try and outsmart a totalitarian regime and pursue a path to justice for her new Polish friends.” But will she succeed?
“I vividly remember my first encounter with the celebrated short novel, ‘Professor Andrews Goes to Warsaw.’ This story felt intensely personal,” Adamik said in a statement. She further explains her intimate connection with the material, “As a child, I lived in a satellite city of Warsaw. After immigrating to the West, I would dream of the concrete labyrinth of grey high rises, a weird no man’s land of never-ending, muddy construction sites, reminiscent of Terry Gilliam’s Brazil.” Further teasing, “NowProfessor Andrews has found herself in my labyrinth, a dreamlike universe where rules are unknown and absurdity reigns, on the border of the real and phantasmagorical world.”
‘Winter of the Crow’ Encapsulates a Heart-Wrenching Story
Certainly,Winter of the Crowsounds like a grippingCold Wartale that deals with themes of morality, compassion, and bravery. Given Manville’s acting prowess, it’ll undoubtedly be a captivating thriller that sees her leading a compelling story set against the backdrop of the Cold War. Sharing her excitement,Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of HanWay Films, said, “Winter of the Crow feels truly original in that the lead protagonist is an everyday woman who is challenged to step up and make a difference in a unique situation.” Manville stars in the feature alongsideTom Burke,Zofia Wichłacz, andAndrzej Konopka.
No release date has been announced yet for the feature. Check out the new image above and stay tuned to Collider for future updates.
