WHITETAIL goes to TIFF

TIFF is a key festival on the International scene and is one of the biggest and most prestigious film selections in the world. Keeper Pictures previously has had great success at TIFF: in 2010, SENSATION (Tom Hall) screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section; in 2012 both JUMP (Kieron J. Walsh) and THE PERVERT’S GUIDE TO IDEOLOGY (Sophie Fiennes) were selected; in 2017, GRACE JONES: BLOODLIGHT AND BAMI (Sophie Fiennes) was selected as the Opening Night film for TIFF Docs; and in 2018, VITA & VIRGINIA (Chanya Button) screened as a Special Presentation. 

Written and directed by Nanouk Leopold, WHITETAIL is a co-production from Stienette Bosklopper from Circe Films and Maarten Swart from Kaap Holland Film in the Netherlands, Katie Holly and Evan Horan from Keeper Pictures; Bart Van Langendonck from Savage Film in Belgium, and Martien Vlietman from VPRO. Executive Producers include Anne Carey from Archer Gray, Mike Goodridge from Good Chaos, Jorn Baars from Kaap Holland Film and Niamh Fagan from Screen Ireland. 

Starring Natasha O’Keeffe (PEAKY BLINDERS), Andrew Bennett (AN CAILÍN CIÚIN), Aaron McCusker (BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY), Rory Nolan (FOUNDATION), Simone Kirby (KNEECAP), Aidan O’Hare (SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE), Abby Fitz (THE WOMAN IN THE WALL) and Seán Treacy (THE OUTPOST). Key creative roles includes DOP Frank van den Eeden (CLOSE), editor Katharina Wartena (BROWNIAN MOVEMENT), production designer Emma Lowney (AN CAILÍN CIÚIN), composer Stephen Rennicks (FRANK), costume designer Manon Blom (COBAIN) and casting directors Louise Kiely (NORMAL PEOPLE) and Thyrza Ging (KIN). 

Set in the isolated beauty of southern Ireland, WHITETAIL tells the story of Jen who works as a conservation ranger in the same woods where, years ago, her younger sister lost her life in a tragic accident. The sudden return of Oscar, a boyfriend from her distant past, stirs memories long buried, forcing her to confront their shared history. As a poacher begins leaving violent traces across the land she protects, the line between past and present starts to blur and Jen has to face what’s been haunting her all along.

Producer Evan Horan had this to say “We are thrilled at Keeper Pictures to have Nanouk Leopold’s WHITETAIL world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. After shooting in the breathtaking landscapes of Kerry, we’re incredibly excited to launch this special film at TIFF, with one of the most celebrated film festival audiences in the world. We want to congratulate and thank our incredible cast and crew for their hard work across the shoot, as well as our co-production partners for their collaboration and Screen Ireland for their support.”