First Look at "The Idiot(s)", A Dostoyevsky-Inspired Film by Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert

The first image from the anticipated film "The Idiot(s)" has been unveiled. This new project is helmed by Małgorzata Szumowska, a two-time recipient of the Berlinale’s Silver Bear, and Michał Englert. The lead roles are played by Aimee Lou Wood, known for her performance in "White Lotus", Johnny Flynn, who gained attention with "A Prayer for the Dying", Vicky Krieps, applauded at Cannes for "Corsage", and Christian Friedel, also a cast member of "White Lotus" and the critically acclaimed "The Zone of Interest".

The story of "The Idiot(s)" takes its roots in “The Gambler’s Wife: A True Story of Love, Risk, and the Woman Who Saved Dostoyevsky” by Andrew D. Kaufman. This basis allows them to offer a narrative that explores the lives of renowned writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky and his wife Anna during a period that influenced him to pen down “The Idiot”, renowned today as one of the literature's most remarkable novels.

The film hails from production houses Gold Rush Pictures and Hype Studios. It sees Szumowska and Englert, alongside Kasper Bajon and Bríd Arnstein, share writing credits. Englert also leads the cinematography, whereas Ilya Stewart, Vladimir Zemtsov, and Lota Dascioraite serve as producers.

Szumowska and Englert have previously co-directed projects like “Woman Of…” (2023) and “Never Gonna Snow Again” (2020), both of which made their first appearance in competition at the Venice Film Festival. Englert has been honored with a Sundance cinematography award for “Lasting” (2013).

North American rights for the film are handled by CAA Media Finance, with The Match Factory managing international sales. Meanwhile, Aimee Lou Wood and Johnny Flynn are represented by CAA in collaboration with Independent Talent and United Agents respectively, while Szumowska is solely represented by CAA.