Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Oblivion) will star in the supernatural horror film, Mara, it was announced today by The Solution Entertainment Group’s Myles Nestel and Room 101’s Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity, Insidious) who will produce with Mann Made Films’ Scott Mann and James Edward Barker.
Clive Tonge will direct his feature film debut from an original collaboration with Jonathan Frank (The Tournament), based on the mythology and true phenomena of sleep paralysis, commonly known as Sudden Unexpected Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS), which is scheduled to shoot in May next year. Synchronicity Entertainment is financing and selling the project. Ruzanna Kegeyan, President of International Distribution, will introduce the project to international buyers at the American Film Market.
Criminal psychologist Kate Fuller (Kurylenko) is assigned to the murder of a man who has seemingly been strangled in his sleep by his wife and the only witness is their eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. As Kate digs into the mystery of an ancient demon which kills people in their sleep, she experiences the same petrifying symptoms as all previous victims and spirals through a chilling nightmare to save herself and Sophie before she dares fall asleep again.
“‘Mara’ promises huge potential with the star power of Olga Kurylenko and up-and-coming horror director Clive Tonge at the helm. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Schneider in the launch of this new ‘Insidious’-type film franchise,” said Nestel.
Says Schneider, “Synchronicity and Mann Made Films are the perfect combination for ‘Mara’ – innovative, vigorous and exciting companies in the independent sector. Clive is a phenomenal talent and horror fans will embrace him as widely as they did James Wan and, with Olga starring, we’re onto another hit franchise.”
Said Mann and Barker, “When we started developing ‘Mara’ with Clive and Jonathan, we aimed to partner with a visionary like Steven Schneider. Now teamed up with him, alongside Synchronicity, and Olga’s exceptional talent on board as well, we have the best possible platform to make an incredibly entertaining and chillingly crafted piece of horror.”
