WestEnd Films has officially launched international sales for the film The Last Day at the European Film Market in Berlin. This project marks the feature directorial debut of acclaimed visual artist Rachel Rose, featuring a talented cast that includes Alicia Vikander, Wagner Moura, and Victoria Pedretti. The film is currently in post-production, and WestEnd has revealed a first-look image during the opening of sales activity on March 7, 2024.
The North American rights for The Last Day are being co-represented by CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group. This film draws inspiration from Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, unfolding over a single summer day in New York City. It explores a fleeting encounter between two mothers at pivotal moments in their lives.
Vikander plays the role of Julia, a writer struggling with creative paralysis and unresolved grief while facing the changes brought on by her daughter’s adolescence. Her world is disrupted by an unexpected meeting with Taylor, portrayed by Pedretti, a labor and delivery nurse experiencing a postpartum crisis. This encounter forces Julia to confront the life she has carefully constructed. Moura, currently an Oscar nominee, stars as Julia’s husband, a steady yet increasingly distant figure whose own unresolved issues contribute to the family’s growing tensions.
Rachel Rose’s Artistic Vision
Rachel Rose, whose artwork has been featured in notable institutions like LACMA and Tate Modern, makes her feature film debut with The Last Day. Renowned for her formally rigorous and conceptually layered works, Rose expressed her thoughts on motherhood, stating, “Becoming a mother felt to me like a collision between a beginning and a threat, and I knew I needed to write from the existential tension of that contradiction.” She drew inspiration from Woolf’s portrayal of Clarissa’s self-erasure in Mrs. Dalloway, emphasizing the significance of ordinary moments that lead to profound internal shifts.
The film is produced by Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler under the banner of Killer Films, known for its distinguished slate of recent arthouse successes, including Past Lives and May December. Along with Rose, the production team includes David Kaplan and Lucie Elwes, with Maja Hoffmann and Lucas Hoffmann serving as executive producers.
Behind the scenes, Rose has assembled a skilled team, featuring cinematographer Eric Yue, editor Taylor Levy, costume designer April Napier, and Emmy-winning music supervisor Susan Jacobs. The film falls under WestEnd’s WeLove label, which is dedicated to promoting female-driven narratives and championing female talent in the film industry.
As anticipation builds for The Last Day, the film promises to offer a nuanced exploration of motherhood and personal identity, anchored by strong performances and an innovative directorial approach.
