Kristen Stewart is set to play famed U.S. writer, philosopher and political activist Susan Sontag in a new feature from filmmaker Kirsten Johnson (“Cameraperson,” “Dick Johnson is Dead”).
Currently going by the title “Sontag,” the feature will document four specific chapters in the tumultuous life of the celebrated and controversial 20th century American intellectual with the details based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography by Ben Moser.
The book explored Sontag’s broken relationships, struggles with her sexuality, and her activism along with her widely acclaimed writings, essays, and published novels such as 1964’s “Notes On ‘Camp'” which is almost legendary in film critic circles.
Producer Gabrielle Tana says: “It will be a drama, but with a documentary aspect to it. Kirsten [Johnson] has a wonderful approach to storytelling, and this is reflective of that, so she will use documentary in it.”
Johnson will co-write the project with Lisa Kron as well as direct it for UK-Australia production company Brouhaha Entertainment which is backing the film.
Stewart is currently acting as president of the international jury at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival. Filming on “Sontag” will begin at the fest as documentary footage of Stewart as a Berlinale Jury member will be incorporated into the film.
Plans are to shoot this year across California, New York, Paris and Sarajevo. No release date plans have yet been locked.
Source: Screen Daily
