Psychological thriller about blacklisted Hollywood director to film in Edinburgh

Blacklisted, which is currently in the pre-production phase, is the debut feature film by Edinburgh-based production company Amygdala Productions.

Set against the neo-noir backdrop of the modern entertainment industry, the film follows a shunned Hollywood director seeking commercial redemption in Europe, his future resting on a complex relationship with his lead actress.

LA-based actors Milena Abilova and Je’maya Jackson will take on the lead roles, as the rising star Jen and blacklisted director Vince.

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Meanwhile, British-born Stephen Corrall plays Tony Santoro, a classic golden age Hollywood actor.

The film also stars Irish actress Freya O’Horo, who has worked alongside BAFTA-winning actor Richard Gadd and starred in Ivy, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Director Zakaria Elbahi , who is Scottish and Moroccan, said: “This is the film our team at Amygdala Productions has been building toward for a long time, not just creatively, but with what we have set out to say about the modern film industry.

“We didn’t wait around for permission to make something at this level; we went out and built it with the right people, with a sustainable business model, here in our home, Edinburgh.

“Blacklisted is a story about hollow realities, objectification, and identity crisis that we see so often in today's world.

They added: “We’re putting our hearts into this, in the hopes that we can contribute to this new wave of filmmakers, that are proving Scottish films can succeed at a high level.”

Simon Williamson, Director of Photography, said: “The story we have in front of us with Blacklisted, we wanted the visual aesthetic to tell a story within the story.

“The look, feel, and tone of the film is a vital part of that story. To engage our audience, I’m looking to create a visual that walks hand in hand with that story.”