Film i Väst and Zentropa has announced additional cast to Lars von Trier´s THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. Uma Thurman and Siobhan Fallon Hogan joins the rank of unfortunate women who encounters serial killer Jack, played by Matt Dillon and joins recently announced Riley Keough and Sofie Gråbøl. Also starring is Bruno Ganz in the role as Verge.
Both Uma Thurman and Siobhan Fallon Hogan have previously worked with Lars von Trier - Thurman as the prominent Ms. H in NYMPHOMANIAC (2013), and Siobhan Fallon Hogan starring in Triers highly acclaimed and award winning DANCER IN THE DARK (2000) and DOGVILLE (2003).
Zentropa producer, Louise Vesth says: “With these two fantastic actresses, the main cast is now in place, and we are ready to shoot - and kill...
Uma and Lars first worked together on Nymphomaniac and complimented each other in an exceptional way; I can't wait to see which character they'll create together this time.
Lars has had Siobhan in mind from a very early stage for one of the female parts, and it is an honor for us to welcome her back on set since her appearance in Dogville and Dancer in the Dark."
During Berlin International Film Festival earlier this month, von Trier published an image of himself with a cinematic reference (link) and followed up with a teasing statement to The Guardian: “THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT celebrates the idea that life is evil and soulless, which is sadly proven by the recent rise of the Homo trumpus - the rat king.”
Shooting in Sweden
Zentropa will begin shooting in Trollhättan, Sweden in March and move on to Copenhagen in May.
The shootings in Trollhättan is partly made possible with support from regular Trier financier, the regional fund Film i Väst, who supports production of THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT with €1.78 mill.
"We are happy and excited to yet again welcome Zentropa and Lars von Trier with his team and cast to Trollhättan for the 6th time since Nymphomaniac, Melancholia, Antichrist, Dogville and Dancer in the Dark. It has been truly amazing to follow and support Lars von Trier's outstanding filmmaking from the turn of the millennium until this day. Now we are looking forward to being drawn into his unique cinematic storytelling once again", says Tomas Eskilsson, Founder and Artistic Director of Film i Väst.
Uma Thurman
Award-winning actress Uma Thurman has proven herself to be one of the industry's most versatile performers, lending her talents to an array of revered films and television.
Thurman´s role in THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT marks her second role in Lars von Trier's body of work. She first appeared as Mrs. H in NYMPHOMANIC (2013).
Thurman is best known for her portrayal of "Mia Wallace," a sexy mobster's wife in Quentin Tarantino's critically lauded PULP FICTION (1995), for which she received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Thurman continued to work with the director for many years and garnered Golden Globe® Award nominations for her role of "The Bride" in his highly successful KILL BILL film franchise.
Thurman's entrance into mainstream film began following her role as the goddess Venus in Terry Gilliam's fantasy THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN (1988). She went on to receive critical acclaim for her portrayal of a virginal 18th century convent girl, "Cecile de Volanges," in Stephen Frears' DANGEROUS LIAISONS (1988), opposite John Malkovich. The following year, she starred opposite Fred Ward and Maria de Medeiros in Philip Kaufman's HENRY & JUNE (1990). Additional film credits include BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (1996), BATMAN & ROBIN (1997), LES MISERABLES (1998), SWEET AND LOWDOWN (1999), TAPE (2001) for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination, HYSTERICAL BLINDNESS (2002) for which she won a Golden Globe® Award, BE COOL (2005) and THE PRODUCERS (2005). Thurman earned her first Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Dramatic Series for her arc on NBC's series SMASH (2012).
Siobhan Fallon Hogan
Siobhan Fallon Hogan will be working with Lars von Trier for the third time this March in Zentropa´s THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. It will also be her third turn with the star of the film, Matt Dillon. Fallon Hogan played Dillon´s secretary in Fox´s M. Night Shyamalan series, WAYWARD PINES (2016) and this Easter she will be seen as Mitzi in Zach Braff´s, GOING IN STYLE, also featuring Dillon.
Fallon Hogan has been seen in memorable roles in several blockbusters over the past twenty five years. Some of her film credits include, FORREST GUMP (1994); MEN IN BLACK (1997); THE NEGOTIATER (1998); BABY MAMA (2008); NEW IN TOWN (2009); WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN (2011). CHARLOTTE´S WEB (2006), THE BOUNTY HUNTER (2010) and HOLES (2003). Her foreign work includes DANCER IN THE DARK (2000) with Björk, DOGVILLE (2003) with Nicole Kidman and Lauren Bacall and FUNNY GAMES by Michael Haneke (2007) with Naomi Watts. Some of her television credits include Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld and Thirty Rock.
Presales on THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT has been pre-sold to several territories, including UK and Ireland (Curzon Artificial Eye), Germany, Austria (Tele München), France (Films Du Losanges), Latin America (California Filmes), Benelux (September film), Greece (Seven Films), Portugal (Leopardo filmes), Israel (Shani Film), Middle East (Falcon Films), China (DD Dream), Hong Kong (Sundream), South Korea (Atnine Film), Russia/CIS (Russian World Vision), Poland (Gutek), Hungary (Vertigo Media), Taiwan (Moviecloud), Former Yugoslavia (Cinemania group), Czech Republic (Aero film), Bulgaria (Euro Films), Romania (Independenta Film 97) and Baltic States (Estin Film).
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILTS takes place in 1970s USA. We follow the highly intelligent Jack through 5 incidents and are introduced to the murders that define Jack´s development as a serial killer. We experience the story from Jack´s point of view. He views each murder as an artwork in itself, even though his dysfunction gives him problems in the outside world. Despite the fact that the final and inevitable police intervention is drawing ever near (which both provokes and puts pressure on Jack) he is - contrary to all logic - set on taking greater and greater chances. Along the way we experience Jack´s descriptions of his personal condition, problems and thoughts through a recurring conversation with the unknown Verge - a grotesque mixture of sophistry mixed with an almost childlike self-pity and in-depth explanations of, for Jack, dangerous and difficult manoeuvres.
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT is produced by Louise Vesth for Zentropa Group in co-production with Film i Väst, Copenhagen Film Fund, Slot Machine, with support from Danish Film Institute, Swedish Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, CNC, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Eurimages, The Media Programme of the European Union, and in cooperation with DR, Nordisk Film Distribution, Concorde Filmverleih, Potemkine, Les Films du Losange, SVT.
Nordic distribution through Nordisk Film.
TrustNordisk handles international sales.
About Film i Väst
Film i Väst is one of Europe´s most successful co-producers and Scandinavia´s preeminent regional film fund. Each year millions of cinema goers all over the world see a production co-produced by Film i Väst. Since 1992 we have co-produced more than 1 000 feature films, TV-dramas, shorts and documentaries.
Over the years Film i Väst co-productions have also been richly rewarded with nominations and awards at the world´s most prestigeous events including festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and galas such as Golden Globes, the European Film Awards and the Oscars.