Tessa Thompson has signed on to both produce and star in the upcoming film adaptation of Katie Kitamura’s acclaimed novel, A Separation. The movie, which will be written and directed by Cannes award-winning filmmaker Jonas Carpignano, is set to bring the suspenseful story to the big screen.
Adapted from the 2017 bestseller published by Riverhead Books, A Separation follows a woman who travels from London to a remote peninsula in southern Greece to search for her missing estranged husband. The narrative delves into themes of intimacy, grief, and the complex aftermath of a fractured marriage.
Production Team and Collaborations Behind the Film
Alongside Thompson’s involvement, Riva Marker will produce the film through Linden Productions. Support will come from Kishori Rajan of Viva Maude, and Greta Caruso and Christos V. Konstantakopoulos of Faliro House. David Levine of Anonymous Content will serve as executive producer. This collaboration reunites Thompson with Linden Productions following their recent work on Is God Is, Aleshea Harris’s thriller based on her award-winning stage play, which is slated for release on May 15 via Orion Pictures.
Additionally, Linden and Faliro House have joined forces once more after partnering on David Adjmi’s play Stereophonic, which earned a record number of Tony Award nominations and secured five wins, including Best Play in 2024.
The Story’s Themes and Author’s Perspective
Producers expressed enthusiasm about adapting Kitamura’s novel, highlighting its fearless exploration of complex issues such as class, race, and fidelity. They remarked on the story’s evocative nature, emphasizing its elegance and the challenges it portrays.
Kitamura herself praised the creative team engaged in the project, stating:
“Jonas and Tessa are two of the boldest and most original artists working today. I feel very lucky to be part of this extraordinary collaboration, and to be working with such an exceptional team of producers to bring this novel onto the big screen.”
— Katie Kitamura, Author
Tessa Thompson’s Recent Work and Production Ventures
Thompson recently starred alongside Jon Bernthal in the Netflix murder mystery His & Hers, which was produced by her company Viva Maude. The company is also under a first-look film deal with Amazon MGM and has collaborated with Plan B to produce Hedda, Nia DaCosta’s reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play Hedda Gabler. The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last year and earned Thompson a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Drama.
In addition to these projects, Viva Maude has plans to adapt Raven Leilani’s debut novel Luster, further expanding Thompson’s impactful role both in front of and behind the camera.
Jonas Carpignano’s Filmmaking Background
Director Jonas Carpignano is acclaimed for his trilogy that explores life in modern southern Italy, consisting of Mediterranea, A Ciambra, and A Chiara. His work has earned critical praise at Cannes Film Festival, with Mediterranea debuting in 2015 and A Ciambra being Italy’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards. A Chiara premiered during the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2021 and gained U.S. distribution through Neon.
Author’s Recent Literary Contributions and Other Adaptations
Katie Kitamura’s latest novel, Audition, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and is currently being adapted by filmmaker Lulu Wang in partnership with Higher Ground and Laika. Kitamura’s storytelling continues to gain attention for its depth and cinematic potential.
Linden and Partner Companies’ Wider Creative Endeavors
Linden Productions has several projects underway, including Alyssa Hill’s thriller Zygote starring Jennifer Garner, a TV adaptation of Emma Rosenblum’s bestseller Bad Summer People featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Jen Silverman’s adaptation of Sarah Blakely-Cartwright’s novel Alice Sadie Celine. They are also developing a stage adaptation of Eliza Kennedy’s Lucky Night, Netflix’s sequel Yes Day 2 with Garners returning, and Mrs. Claus in partnership with Netflix and Hello Sunshine.
Faliro House brings extensive production experience to the table with over 90 films, including Oscar-nominated works such as Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight, Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Lobster, and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter. Recent projects include Harvest by Athina Rachel Tsangari, A Sad and Beautiful World by Cyril Aris, and Exergue by Dimitris Athiridis featured at Documenta 14.
Anonymous Content’s AC Studios has been involved with the Oscar-nominated Nickel Boys and Golden Globe-nominated series such as True Detective: Night Country and Disclaimer. Upcoming titles include Netflix’s East of Eden starring Florence Pugh and Apple’s Neuromancer with Callum Turner.
Representation and Industry Connections
Tessa Thompson is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman, while Jonas Carpignano’s representation includes WME and Lichter Grossman Nichols. Katie Kitamura is represented by Trident Media Group and Anonymous Content, ensuring strong industry backing for the project.
Anticipated Impact of ‘A Separation’ Adaptation
The adaptation of A Separation brings together a powerful team of creative minds known for their fearless storytelling and dedication to nuanced narratives. With Tessa Thompson’s multifaceted involvement and Jonas Carpignano’s proven directorial skills, the film is poised to offer a compelling exploration of emotional and social complexities. Given the pedigree of everyone involved and the thought-provoking source material, the project could become a significant addition to contemporary cinema that thoughtfully addresses relationship and cultural tensions.
As production advances, audiences and critics alike will look forward to how this evocative story transitions from page to screen, continuing a trend of meaningful adaptations led by diverse and visionary talent.
