"Zima and Nam Headline Noyer's Love Is The Monster"
Madeline Zima, known for her role in Californication, and Westworld's Leonardo Nam are reported to be in active production in Canada for the new thriller, Love Is The Monster. The duo will lead under director Alex Noyer, recognized for Sound of Violence. The filmmakers have successfully landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement. Joining them on the project are a host of stars, including Moe Jeudy-Lamour of Ted Lasso, Kimberly-Sue Murray from Trader, Kristina Tonteri-Young from Warrior Nun, Milla Puolakanaho from Omerta, Tatu Sinisalo from Sisu, and Sheila Mccarthy from Women Talking.
Love Is The Monster, penned by Noyer, Hannu Aukia and Blair Bathory, features a couple, Ana and Justin, brought to life by Zima and Nam respectively. The narrative follows the pair, whose relationship has been strained by infidelity, as they attend an exclusive couples retreat in Finland. The retreat, bathed in the soft twilight of the summer’s midnight sun, introduces the couple and others from across the globe to the curative teachings of a shaman and healer named Tiina, based on the ancient Finnish goddess of love and fertility, Lempo. Amidst the idyllic environment, not everything is as serene as it seems.
Noyer's new film, which showcases elements from his native Finland’s mythology, succeeds Sound of Violence, a horror-thriller featuring Jasmin Savoy Brown of Yellowjackets, which made its world premiere at SXSW in 2021. The movie works are supported by producers Laurence Gendron and Hannu Aukia. XYZ Films retains the North American rights and will commence sales at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which is also hosting the premier of Atom Egoyan's Seven Veils, starring Amanda Seyfried.
Zima, who rose to fame starring alongside David Duchovny in Showtime’s Californication, has had recent appearances in series like Doom Patrol, Hacks, and In Treatment. She has also featured in a range of independent films. Her upcoming project is a sci-fi thriller, Subservience, where she co-stars with Megan Fox. Nam, who portrayed Felix Lutz in HBO's Westworld, has most recently featured in shows like Star Trek: Lower Decks and Maggie. He also appeared in Marvel’s Werewolf by Night and will soon surface in Ava DuVernay's Origin, premiering in Venice in a few weeks.
Representation for Zima comes from Affirmative Entertainment, Buchwald, and Ziffren Brittenham, while Nam is represented by More/Medavoy Management, A3 Artists Agency, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.
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"And you thought Love was but a tender monster." There's a lesson to learn here, folks, infidelity will land you in a Finnish retreat faster than you can say "Hei". But let's circle back to the creative minds behind this intriguing story, shall we?
Our leading couple are packing some solid acting credentials. Zima's got that Tony Stark knack for chemistry with any actor, be that Duchovny, or a cybernetically enhanced rat (Yes, Doom Patrol viewers, I remember). And as for Nam, he's the quintessential, enigmatic employee in Westworld - balancing uncertainty and empathy like an acrobat does trapeze.
Then we have Noyer. Now let's lay it down here: Anyone who can pivot from violent audiology (Sound of Violence) to love-gone-wrong in nocturnal Finland has my vote for Hollywood's Next Top Chameleon. Talk about diversity in portfolio, albeit with a constant thrilling undertone. Yes, we are noticing, Noyer, loud and clear.
And speaking of diversity, welcome to the melting pot of characters - from Ted Lasso's soccer player to a Trader, a Warrior Nun, an Omerta... the gang's as varied as a 'Chopped' mystery basket. One wonders if they were deliberately chosen, like ingredients for a Nordic-Globetrotting-Epic-Taught-By-Shaman soup? Keep stirring, Noyer, we're eager for a taste.
Finally, a word of appreciation for these career architects - Affirmative Entertainment, Buchwald, Ziffren Brittenham, and Nam's trio of advocates. They say the best support is invisible, right? You folks are doing a Ravenclaw-worthy job. Lord knows we need more good navigators in the sea of Hollywood.
So, pillow up and popcorn down, folks. Love Is The Monster has sent out the vibes - expect the unexpected, embrace the transformative, and remember: It's all under the 'Finnish' midnight sun. Pun intended. Sweet dreams, Hollywood.
