Liam Hemsworth (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fireâ€), Isla Fisher (“The Great Gatsbyâ€) and Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsbyâ€) are set to join Kate Winslet and Judy Davis (“Husbands & Wivesâ€) in Jocelyn Moorhouse’s “The Dressmaker.â€
Embankment is selling international territories and co-represents the U.S. with CAA.
Principal photography starts in Australia in October.
Winslet plays an avenging angel who returns home to the remote country town from which she fled as a child after being accused of murder, to make amends with her eccentric mother. Although ostracized, as an exponent of the most stunning 1950s haute couture inspired by Madame Vionnet and Balenciaga, she liberates and empowers the town’s women with her quick wit and beautiful clothing. She unexpectedly finds love and ultimately exacts sweet revenge on those who wronged her.
Moorhouse (“Proof,†“How to Make an American Quiltâ€), who directs her script adaptation of the eponymous novel by Rosalie Ham, said: “Kate Winslet is perfect for Tilly. She’s beautiful, intelligent, and deeply mysterious on screen. Judy Davis is amongst the great contemporary actresses and she will bring powerful wit and charm to the role of Molly. Liam Hemsworth is a laid back, genuine charmer who’s also tall, dark and movie-star handsome. He’ll create a character for the audience to fall in love with.â€
Working with Moorhouse will be director of photography Don McAlpine (“Moulin Rouge!â€), costume designer Tim Chappel (“The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desertâ€), production designer Roger Ford (“Chronicles of Narniaâ€) and editor Jill Bilcock (“Moulin Rouge!â€).
“The Dressmaker†is produced by Sue Maslin (“Japanese Storyâ€) through Film Art Media, and the film has been financed with the assistance of Screen Australia, Fulcrum Media Finance, White Hot Productions, Film Victoria, Soundfirm and developed with the assistance of Screen NSW.
The film is also financed by Ingenious Senior Film Fund, represented by Gavin Poolman and Michael Shyjka, and will be distributed by Universal Pictures in its home territory.