Exploring Age, Alzheimer’s, and Elder Abuse in ‘Queen At Sea’ Starring Juliette Binoche and Tom Courtenay
Oscar-Winning Actors Lead Intense Family Drama
The upcoming family drama features Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche and Tom Courtenay, who received the Best Actor award at the Berlinale in 2015 for his standout performance in 45 Years.
Binoche takes on the role of a single mother navigating the dual challenges of raising her teenage daughter while caring for her mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, portrayed by Anna Calder-Marshall. Courtenay plays her stepfather, a character whose potential abuse of his spouse adds a complex layer to the narrative.
The film’s story was inspired by real-life accounts of dementia, particularly regarding intimate relationships affected by the illness. Director Hammer notes, “Families were struggling with impossible choices regarding agency and consent. When does someone lose the agency to make critical decisions on their own behalf? Who is responsible for determining this? A spouse, a child, an institution?”
He emphasizes the need for outside perspectives in such difficult situations, remarking, “It often takes someone from outside to help them see things have progressed more significantly than they realize.”
Produced by Tristan Goligher at The Bureau alongside Hammer under his Alluvial Film Company banner, the film is being distributed internationally by The Match Factory.
