Sales company New Europe Films has launched a trailer for “A Prayer for the Dying,” which stars Johnny Flynn, John C. Reilly and Kristine Kujath Thorp. The film premieres in Berlinale’s Perspectives, a section for directors making their feature debuts, on Friday.
The film is written and directed by Dara Van Dusen, based on the novel by Stewart O’Nan.
It is set in the aftermath of the American Civil War, and follows veteran Jacob Hansen (Flynn), whose American dream of a new life in Friendship, Wisconsin quickly becomes a nightmare. When a deadly epidemic and threatening wildfire spread chaos, Jacob – serving as sheriff, undertaker and pastor – must fight to save his town, his family and his soul.
“Because of his trauma from the war and dark events from his past, he’s taken on all these roles to atone for these things. He has become everyone for everybody in this town and a husband and a father to Marta and Emilia,” Van Dusen says.
Kate McCullough is the director of photography, Hubert Pouille is the production designer, Ján Kocman is the costume designer and Fredrik Morheden is the editor.
The film is produced by Dyveke Bjørkly Graver. The co-producers are Vicky Miha, Fenia Cossovitsa, Tristan Goligher, Mimmi Spång, Kristina Börjeson, Pavel Berčík, Jana Garajová and Zahra Waldeck.
It is produced by Eye Eye Pictures, alongside asterisk*, Blonde, The Bureau, Garagefilm International and Film i Väst. It is co-produced by Film Kolektiv, Mediefondet Zefyr, Banaccas and Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).
It is produced in association with Anton, New Europe Film Sales, Oslo Pictures, Amarcord, UK Global Screen Fund and Media Finance Capital.