Jocelyn Moorhouse directing.
Kate Winslet has signed on to star alongside Judy Davis in ‘The Dressmaker,’ a stylish drama with comic undertones that will be directed by Australian filmmaker Jocelyn Moorhouse.
Based on Rosalie Ham’s novel of the same name, the story focuses on Tilly Dunnage (Winslet), a talented couturier, returns to the remote country town from which she fled as a child after being accused of murder. She wants to make amends with her eccentric mother, Molly (Davis), but first must unravel the secrets of her past.
Moorhouse, whose previous credits include ‘A Thousand Acres’ and ‘How to Make an American Quilt,’ describes the ‘The Dressmaker’ as “’Unforgiven’ with a sewing machine.”
“This is a project with rich, complex characters and an indelible Australian setting. Jocelyn is the perfect filmmaker to bring Rosalie Ham’s book to screens throughout the world,” producer Sue Maslin told THR. “The incredible assembly of talent in front of and behind the camera is testimony to the ambition of everyone involved to make a great film. We look forward to working with Universal Pictures to bring this project to Australian audiences.”
‘The Dressmaker’ is expected to begin principal photography early 2014.