EXCLUSIVE: Filming has begun in Canada on New Regency-backed fencing thriller Balestra, which will be produced as a feature with an alternate version to be released separately as a limited series.Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight), Manny Jacinto (The Good Place) and James Badge Dale (Iron Man 3) lead cast the project, which will follow a woman who has dedicated her life to becoming the greatest fencer in the world.
With the Paris Olympics looming as her last chance to reach the top of the podium, she is pressured by her husband and coach Raph (Dale) to become a test subject for the Halo, a prototype device that lets her extend her training into her sleeping hours.
Reality begins to blur when Joanna encounters a stranger named Elliot (Jacinto) and finds herself caught between her exhilarating new dreams and her pursuit of Olympic gold.Rounding out the cast is Christin Park (Charmed) as Audrey, Joanna’s (Jumbo) fearless opponent and teammate in the U.S.
fencing team.The project heralds from New Regency, Item 7 and Oddfellows Entertainment. Written by Imran Zaidi from an original idea by Aron Eli Coleite, director is Nicole Dorsey (Black Conflux).Backers are New Regency, Telefilm Canada, Elevation Pictures, Entract Films and the Canada, British Columbia and Quebec tax credits.
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