“I Swear,” the British independent film about Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson, which has already been a hit with audiences and critics in the United Kingdom, has been purchased by Sony Pictures Classics.
SPC has acquired all rights to the film for the United States, Latin America, most of Eastern Europe, Turkey, Southeast Asia, Portugal and South Korea.
Written and directed by BAFTA nominee Kirk Jones (“Waked Ned Devine,” “Nanny McPhee”), “I Swear” premiered in Toronto to critical acclaim and was released earlier this month in British and Irish cinemas, opening in third place behind “Tron: Ares” and “One Battle After Another.” According to distributor StudioCanal, it also set a new record as the highest-rated film by cinema audiences since records began in the U.K. — ahead of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Top Gun Maverick” and “Parasite” in Comscore PostTrak exit polls.
Alongside Robert Aramayo (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”) in the title role, the film’s supporting cast includes three-time BAFTA nominee Maxine Peake (“Say Nothing,” “The Theory of Everything”), BAFTA winner Shirley Henderson (“Bridget Jones: Mad for the Boy,” “Harry Potter”) and award winner Peter Mullan. best actor prize at Cannes and winner of the Golden Lion (“Guerre Cheval”, “Les Sœurs de la Madeleine”).
Set in 1980s Britain, “I Swear” traces Davidson’s Tourette’s diagnosis at the age of 15, following him through his troubled adolescence and early adulthood, exploring this little-known and completely misunderstood condition, as well as his attempts to live a “normal” life against all odds. The production worked closely with the Tourette community, casting people living with Tourette’s and collaborating with a Tourette’s charity.
The film was produced by Jones, Georgia Bayliff and Piers Tempest for One Story High and Tempo Productions. Cindy Jones and John Davidson are executive producers.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Sony Pictures Classics on ‘I Swear,’” Jones said. “Their story, their vision, their ambition and their passion for what is a very special project for us seems a perfect fit for the United States and other territories.”
Tempest added: “We are delighted that ‘I Swear’ is resonating so well with audiences in the UK and we can’t think of better partners than Sony Pictures Classics to bring the film to audiences in the US and beyond.”
The deal was negotiated between Sony Pictures Classics and Bankside Films on behalf of the filmmakers.
“I Swear” is one of those extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, true-to-life, emotionally engaging, funny and compelling films,” said Sony Pictures Classics. “Many will identify as ‘I Swear’ exploring the conquest of a completely misunderstood condition by a young man and the people around him. Directed to perfection by Kirk Jones with stunning performances from Robert Aramayo and mainstays Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson and Peter Mullan, ‘I Swear’ will be adored by audiences around the world. “
