The production of The Arrival, the feature directorial debut of theatre director Bijan Sheibani, has concluded filming in London. The film features a talented cast, including Kingsley Ben-Adir from Bob Marley: One Love, Archie Madekwe known for Lurker, Joanna Scanlan from After Love, and Alex Descas of Let the Sunshine In. Based on Sheibani’s acclaimed play of the same name, the film explores deep themes of identity, obsession, and betrayal.
At the center of the story are two long-lost brothers, Raheem (played by Madekwe) and Tom (portrayed by Ben-Adir). The narrative delves into their reunion as adults, where Tom learns he was adopted as an infant. The film poignantly examines the emotions surrounding the first encounter between blood relatives, as the brothers attempt to reconcile their shared history while grappling with the unsettling truths about their family and the difficult choices made by their parents, played by Scanlan and Descas, thirty years prior.
Bijan Sheibani’s Vision and Experience
Sheibani, an Olivier Award-winning director, is making his feature writing debut with this project. He has garnered acclaim in theatre, notably directing productions such as Till the Stars Come Down at the National Theatre and Dance Nation at the Almeida Theatre. His television credits include writing multiple episodes for One Day on Netflix.
The screenplay for The Arrival was penned by Sheibani himself, who developed the film in collaboration with Film4 alongside DMC Film and House Productions, the latter of which co-produced the film. The project also received financing from the British Film Institute (BFI), with Cornerstone managing worldwide sales.
Producers for the film are Tessa Ross from Conclave, Juliette Howell known for Brexit: The Uncivil War, and Theo Barrowclough from Scrapper at House Productions. Additional producers include Michael Fassbender, Daniel Emmerson, and Conor McCaughan for DMC Film, with Nell Green also contributing. David Kimbangi serves as the executive producer for Film4, while Ama Ampadu represents the BFI.
Anticipation for The Arrival
The filming took place throughout the UK during the summer of 2023, and anticipation is building for the release of The Arrival. Ama Ampadu, Senior Production and Development Executive at the BFI, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “In The Arrival, Bijan Sheibani is bringing his unique voice and style to create a film that deftly explores issues of identity and roads not taken.”
With a promising cast and a compelling narrative, The Arrival is poised to make a significant impact in the film industry, marking a notable entry for Sheibani as he transitions from theatre to film.
