Darren Lynn Bousman’s “Secret Movie” Revealed as ‘Cello,’ Will Star Jeremy Irons and Tobin Bell
Max Weinstein
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Last week, Dread Central reported that Darren Lynn Bousman had completed production on what he teased as a “secret movie,” which took some 120 days to shoot across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Vienna, and Prague. Now, new details have emerged about the project, confirming that its title is Cello, and that it will indeed be another work of horror from the genre vet.
Also Read: Darren Lynn Bousman Finishes Filming “Secret Movie” After 100-Day-Plus Shoot
As Deadline reports, Bousman’s film is an English and Arabic-language feature and will star Jeremy Irons—the Academy Award-winner that Bousman previously hinted at in a tweet—and Saw star Tobin Bell. Syrian actor Samer Ismail and Saudi actor Elham Ali will also star.
Cello‘s premise sounds fresh and intriguing:
“[The film follows] the story of an aspiring cellist who learns that the cost of his brand-new cello is a lot more insidious than he first thought.”
The script for Cello was written by Turki Al Alshikh and is based on his novel of the same name. Cinematographer Maxime Alexandre (The Haunting Of Bly Manor) shot the movie, and composer Joseph Bishara (Insidious, The Conjuring) will provide the score.
In a statement shared with Deadline, Bousman says, “I have been blessed to have many adventures in my filmmaking career. None have compared to the production of Cello. I was able to traverse the globe and work with an international cast and crew. I’m excited for the world to see this terrifying tale from Turki Al Alshikh, and humbled to have had a small part in its creation.”
This movie’s ties to Saudi Arabia are a fascinating footnote in a greater, ongoing story about the country’s growing presence in the global film economy. According to Deadline, Cello is “the first in a new wave of English-language projects looking to film in Saudi Arabia, which has been ramping up its film and TV ambitions.”
While the country remains controversial for its well-known human rights abuses, Saudi officials have pointed to its new production facilities, as well as its 35% film and TV tax rebate, as incentives for shooting projects within its borders.
In early October, Bousman raved about his experience on location in Al-‘Ula, Saudi Arabia in an Instagram update on Cello‘s production:
Looking forward to Darren Lynn Bousman’s Cello? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Dread Central is now on Google News.
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