John C. Reilly and Johnny Flynn in ‘A Prayer for the Dying’ First Look

‘A Prayer for the Dying’
Anton Films

John C. Reilly and Johnny Flynn look contemplative in this first look image from “A Prayer for the Dying,” the survival thriller now in production outside Bratislava, Slovakia.

Anton and New Europe Films are co-repping worldwide rights on the film, and are continuing sales at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival.

“A Prayer for the Dying” is written and directed by Dara Van Dusen and based on the novel by Stewart O’Nan. It takes place in 1870 in Friendship, Wisconsin, a small town of Scandinavian settlers still suffering the repercussion of the recent Civil War. When faced with a new and even deadlier threat, one man is forced to make a harrowing choice: save his young family or defend the community that gave him a second chance at life and meaning. Flynn will play Jacob Hansen, the sheriff responsible for the safety of the town, while Reilly will play the local doctor.

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The film will also star Scandinavian actors Kristine Kujath Thorp (“Ninjababy,” “Sick of Myself”) and Gustav Lindh (“The Northman,” “Queen of Hearts”).

Van Dusen is a writer and director from New York, currently based in Oslo, Norway. She has received numerous development and production grants from the Norwegian Film Institute. Her short film “Significant Others” was selected for the Official Selection at Cannes. Her most recent short, “The Blind Man” — an adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s short story — was nominated for Best Nordic Short and featured in the Nordic Panorama. She is represented by Rowena Wallace at Peach House.

The film is produced by Dyveke Bjørkly Graver and Andrea Berentsen Ottmar for Eye Eye Pictures, known for their work on films like Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World,” and Kristoffer Borgli’s “Sick of Myself.” Co-producers include Mimmi Spång for Garagefilm International, Tristan Goligher for The Bureau, Vicky Miha for Asterisk*, Fenia Cossovitsa for Blonde Audiovisual Productions, Zahra Waldeck for Banaccas Film,  Film i Väst, Mediefondet Zefyr and John Baker. It has been supported by Creative Europe, Norwegian Film Institute, Swedish Film Institute, UK Global Screen Fund and Greek Film Center.

Flynn is represented by United Agents and CAA, Reilly is represented by CAA and Framework Entertainment. Kristine Kujath Thorp and Gustav Lindh are both represented by Agentfirman and Aleksandra Mandic.

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