Oscar-nominee director Edward Berger is “heading to the casinos of Macao for The Ballad of a Small Player” this summer, according to Tudum, an online platform managed by Netflix.
Golden Globe-winning Irish actor Colin Farrell, who starred in the highly acclaimed Steven Spielberg film Minority Report, and British actress Tilda Swinton, who won the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for the legal thriller Michael Clayton, have both been cast in the film, Tudum confirms.
Shang-Chi star Fala Chen is also involved, “with more cast members on the way.”
Described as a high-stakes gambling saga, The Ballad of a Small Player is based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Lawrance Osborne, which tells the story of a corrupt English lawyer who flees prosecution and takes refuge in Macao.
[See more: 50 years of film: 12 of the best movies filmed in Macao]
Berger also directed the Netflix film All Quiet on the Western Front, earning numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards (international feature, production design, score, and cinematography).
A casting call has meanwhile been released by Lumiere Film Production, and is doing the rounds on social media and messaging platforms. It seeks extras for various roles, including dealers, croupiers, hotel guests, gamblers and bellmen.
Lumiere says Macao is the location for an “international film shoot” and invites those interested in applying to send their details via WhatsApp to +853 6885 0008, by email to [email protected] or via WeChat (lumiere_macau). Applicants need to include a half-and full-body shot, name, contact details, and any special aptitudes for the roles. Those with casino and hotel experience are preferred.
