“Harmonia,” starring Naomi Watts, is set to begin filming in Los Angeles, California, this September. Directed by Guy Nattiv, the movie boasts an impressive cast, including Vicky Krieps, Bella Ramsey, and Odessa Young. Written by Nattiv and Noa Berman-Herzberg, “Harmonia” is inspired by the real-life experiences of Nattiv’s grandfather, who became involved in a cult during the 1980s.
What is ‘Harmonia’ starring Naomi Watts about?
Set in the 1980s, the film delves into the dramatic story of Rita (Watts), a woman who becomes entangled with a cult. Her daughters, Ella (Ramsey) and Jo (Young) go to great lengths to rescue her from the psychological manipulation they all face within the commune. Rita becomes enchanted by the charismatic cult leader (Krieps) and renounces her family to join the Harmonia commune. As her daughters infiltrate the group to bring her back, they find themselves drawn into the leader’s web of psycho-spiritual manipulation.
Details about key players:
Two-time Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts is renowned for her roles in psychological dramas. She has notable collaborations with David Lynch in Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks: The Return and Alejandro G. Iñárritu in 21 Grams and Birdman. Recently, Watts headlined FX’s “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” and will appear in the upcoming dramas “The Friend” and “Emmanuelle.”
Vicky Krieps, who gained acclaim for her performance in “Phantom Thread,” was recently seen in the Eva Green-led “The Three Musketeers” films and will share the screen with Cate Blanchett in the upcoming Jim Jarmusch anthology “Father, Mother, Sister, Brother.” Bella Ramsey, known for their role as Lyanna Mormont in “Game of Thrones,” currently stars as Ellie in HBO’s “The Last of Us.” Odessa Young, recognized for her performances in “Shirley” and “The Daughter,” awaits the releases of several projects, including “My First Film,” “The Damned,” “The Order,” and “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.”
View this post on Instagram
Guy Nattiv, who won an Academy Award for his live-action short “Skin” in 2019, recently directed “Golda” and “Tatami,” both of which echoed messages of feminism and empowerment. His collaboration with co-writer Noa Berman-Herzberg dates back to the 2002 short “Mabul,” which they later adapted into the 2010 feature film “The Flood.” Nattiv aims to shed light on the coercive power of cults through “Harmonia,” a project he describes as his “most personal film.” He expressed his emotional connection to the narrative, referring to it as a story that has haunted his family since childhood.
Filming in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, promises to enhance the thought-provoking themes of “Harmonia” with its vibrant filmmaking landscape. The city continues to be a sought-after location for diverse cinematic projects, with recent productions like Lily James’ “Swiped” and Anderson .Paak’s “K-Pops” utilizing its unique locales.
