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Golden Globe-nominated Finnish star Alma Pöysti - known for her role in Aki Kaurismäki's "Fallen Leaves," awarded the Jury Prize at Cannes - Valentina Bellè and Priit Võigemast will lead "Beatrice," directed by Vallo Toomla.
An Estonia -Lithuania-Italy co-production, "Beatrice" is an international love story about a woman who returns to her husband and child after dying in a car accident - but in a new body. She must confront whether her loved ones can still recognize her - and if she's still the same person.
Pöysti called the film a "fascinating project with a strong humanistic approach to a troubling futuristic world that's supposedly 'full of possibilities'."
"It's such an intricate and touching story, with themes circulating around ethical choices, instincts, empathy, identity, love, exploitation and sacrifice."
Bellè ("Ferrari," "Catch-22") said: "It's a sci-fi movie and a love story, but most of all it talks about bodies, and how they cannot be conceived apart from the emotions that inhabit them - and from their personal histories."
"Beatrice will learn that after certain events, there's no going back; one can only try to understand how they can transform us and may learn how to love ourselves again."
According to Priit Võigemast (seen in Oscar-shortlisted "Truth and Justice"), it's "especially meaningful" that the film is based on a play by Estonian playwright Siret Campbell.
"The source material has international scope, and the crew is international too. Simultaneously, it is a very sensitive and intimate story that raises timeless questions to which our helpless characters are forced to seek answers. I am very excited and intend to make the most of every shooting day."
Set in a near-future Europe, the film is produced by Stellar Film, run by Evelin Penttilä and Johanna Maria Tamm. Apollo Film Productions is now also on board.
"Siret Campbell's play is a powerful, award-winning script that resonates with a wide audience. It was only a matter of time before filmmakers picked up the material," said Tanel Tatter of Apollo Film Productions, who will be joined by Veiko Esken.
"The immense contribution and ability of lead producer Stellar Film and executive producer Evelin Penttilä to bring ambitious films to life were also decisive factors for us. We see broad distribution potential for the film both domestically and internationally."
Penttilä noted: "We are absolutely delighted to join forces with Apollo Film Productions on 'Beatrice,' marking an important step towards bringing the film to life."
Praising the actors and the "depth and nuance" of their performances, she said the film "feels especially relevant" today, "exploring what it means to stay true to yourself and to love in times of profound change."
Dagnė Vildžiūnaitė (Just a Moment, Lithuania) and Giovanni Pompili (Kino Produzioni, Italy) are also attached.
Toomla, whose "Pretenders" premiered at San Sebastian, co-wrote the script with Małgorzata Piłacińska.
"I'm fascinated by the horror of replaceability and the extreme testing of love. What happens when we try to replace a lost person through technology? Who or what do we actually love then?," he said.
"Although 'Beatrice' is set in a speculative near future, at its core it is an intimate and at times uncomfortable love story. It is about the difficulty of letting go and the search for oneself."
