Winlset & Ronan begin a passionate affair in Francis Lee's period-drama "Ammonite"
The first trailer for Francis Lee’s second major feature film, “Ammonite”, dropped today where we see a love story unfold between Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan. The romantic period-drama portrays forbidden love between the two women. Drawing on very similar themes from “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) and Francis Lee’s own film, “God’s Own Country” (2017), “Ammonite” has quickly become one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan begin a forbidden romance in Francis Lee’s “Ammonite”
Written and directed by Lee, the film portrays Mary Anning (Winslet), a well-known paleontologist in 1840 England. As she studies the fossil off the coast of, she is approached by a wealthy man seeking solace for his wife, Charlotte (Ronan). As Mary introduces Charlotte to her line of work, acting as a chaperone to the young lady, they begin a passionate affair away from the societal implications of their sexuality.
Francis Lee’s first film “God’s Own Country” premiered to critical acclaim in 2017 as it marked his first feature length film as a Director. As he returns to the writing and director’s chair in “Ammonite” we can expect the same rawness that has come to be associated with his projects.
Still from the “Ammonite” Trailer.
The character of Mary Anning is based off of a real palaeontologist prevalent in England in the 1840s, which can present the movie in the Bio-Pic realm. However, the family denies the portrayed sexuality of their relative.
The film was set to premiere at Cannes Film Festival prior to the festival’s cancellation and instead has moved debut at the Deauville American Film Festival in September, followed almost immediately with screenings at this years’ Toronto International Film Festival. The film was acquired by Neon in early 2020 and is set to be released in the Fall of 2020. Neon has become a prominent studio in recent years and was awarded heavily at the 2020 Oscar Ceremony in association with its film “Parasite” where it made Oscar history, taking home the coveted Best Picture Award.
Winslet and Ronan are both extremely well-known and well-respected with critical and commercial success. Winslet alone, has been Oscar-nominated seven-times, with one win with “The Reader” (2008). Ronan has also become an Academy favorite, receiving nominations for many of her most recent films. Ronan has been nominated four times, her first nomination received at the young age of thirteen, however has not won at the Oscars yet. Many are predicting that both Winslet and Ronan will be nominated for their performances this year.
“Ammonite” still has no official release date but will be premiering in Europe in September 2020. We should expect a release date in the US following its European debut.