Andrew Legge’s sci-fi feature L.O.L.A. wraps

Bankside Films have worldwide rights to the film and will be showing a promo to buyers at the upcoming AFM, and are delighted to share a first look image from the film.

L.O.L.A. is written by Andrew Legge and Angeli Macfarlane, from a story by Legge and Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth (Tell it to the Bees). Andrew Legge’s short films have won numerous awards (including Best Short Film at Tribecca Film Festival, Galway Film Festival, Belfast Film Festival and Celtic Media Festival) and he was selected for the extremely prestigious Cinefondation Residence at the Cannes Film Festival.

Emma Appleton (Traitors, Channel 4; The Witcher, Netflix) and Stefanie Martini (Prime Suspect 1973, ITV; The Last Kingdom, BBC; Make Up) play the lead roles of Thom and Mars. Rory Fleck Byrne (Vita & Virginia; Harlots, ITV, Hulu) plays Sebastian and Aaron Monaghan (Redemption of a Rogue) plays Cobcroft. Other cast includes Nick Dunning (Da Vinci’s Demons, Starz; The Tudors, Showtime) and Hugh O’Conor (Mary Shelley; Pilgrimage; Chocolat).

The film is produced by Alan Maher and John Wallace of Cowtown Pictures (Rialto) in association with Alice Lusher and Catryn Ramasut of ie ie productions (Queerama), with funding from Screen Ireland, Head Gear Films, Ffilm Cymru Wales and ROADS Entertainment. Executive producers are Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Stephen Kelliher, Sophie Green, Dearbhla Regan, Bizzy Day, Andrew Legge and Danielle Ryan.

Oona Menges (The Host) is Director of Photography. Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy will provide original songs and the score for the film.

1940, sisters Thom and Mars have built a machine, L.O.L.A., that can intercept radio and TV broadcasts from the future. This allows them to listen to iconic music before it has been made, place bets knowing what the outcome will be and embrace their inner punk well before the movement came into existence.

But with the Second World War escalating, the sisters decide to use the machine for good to intercept information from the future that could help with military intelligence.

The machine initially proves to be a huge success, rapidly twisting the fortunes of the war against the Nazis.

While Thom becomes intoxicated by L.O.L.A., Mars begins to realise the terrible consequences of its power. As their relationship falls apart, Thom makes a fatal error with her machine that leads to a nightmarish future. Can the sisters’ love for each other save the world they’ve lost?

Stefanie Martini commented: “It was rewarding and inspiring to work with Andrew, Emma, Rory and the rest of the cast of crew of L.O.L.A, working safely in Ireland. Martha is a wonderfully complex character, so ahead of her time, and grows so much throughout the film. It was the most challenging job I've done and I loved every minute of it.”

Emma Appleton commented: “Collaborating closely with Andrew and Stefanie in bringing the character of Thom to life was a hugely creative process, and the shoot in Ireland was very enjoyable, thanks to a terrific cast and crew, and a very safe set”

Dearbhla Regan, Executive Producer, Screen Ireland, commented: “It was a pleasure to see such a distinctive and moving film come to fruition. We congratulate Irish director Andrew Legg, and especially the producers at Cowtown Pictures and all of the crew for their dedication and resilience in getting this film produced amidst such challenging times.”

Ffilm Cymru's Production Executive Bizzy Day added: "We were struck by the ambition and creative vision of L.O.L.A. and are very pleased to be supporting Cowtown Pictures and Welsh company ie ie productions on this production. It’s no easy feat to produce a film under such challenging circumstances. Congratulations to the team and all involved; we are proud to see this extraordinary film come to life!"