BORN
Lauren Grant, Clique Pictures
Language: English
Based On: Literary Adaptation
Project Type: Feature Film (Scripted)
Genre: Drama
Stage of Development: First Draft
Estimated Length (minutes): 90
Proposed or Confirmed Talent:
Sarah Timmins, Big Black Birds Entertainment
List names of confirmed partners:
Telefilm Canada (Development Support)
What is this project seeking?
Financing, Distribution, Sales Agent
Logline:
Based on Heather Birrell's Toronto set novel, BORN is set during a high school lockdown when English teacher, Elise, goes into labour, and her classroom is forced to help bring life into the world, as they hope for their own safety.
Synopsis:
High school English teacher Elise loves teaching Shakespeare. She is also very pregnant and trapped in a classroom with her Grade 12 students during a lockdown. Anthony, the cause of the lockdown, is roaming the halls with a knife in search of some solace, consumed by thoughts of his best friend Samantha’s suicide attempt. Maria, the school’s counsellor, is second-guessing her decision to turn him in.
As the lockdown drags on, Elise can no longer deny that she’s going into labour. And she’ll have to rely on the students to get her through: Shai-Anna and Faduma end up acting as midwives, and the others do what they can.
This isn't your typical lockdown story. With clear-eyed empathy, Born explores the many pitfalls and utopian possibilities of the school system, motherhood, and caregiving, and the sometimes fraught, sometimes transcendent nature of the student-teacher relationship.
Contact Information: lauren@clique-pictures.com
