Montreal’s Melki Films has partnered with Peterborough, Ont.-born author Jennifer Robson to develop and produce a theatrical feature film based on her bestselling historical novel, The Gown.
The Gown is set during the Second World War, and follows an unlikely friendship between a Jewish French citizen who flees to England to escape a concentration camp and a dressmaker. The two are soon commissioned to stitch embroidery on the royal wedding gown for Princess Elizabeth.
The novel was published by HarperCollins on Dec. 31, 2018 and named a USA Today bestseller.
The deal to acquire the film rights was handled by New York-based Lucy Stille Literary Agency, on behalf of Robson’s agent, Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Viveka Melki is attached to produce. Executive producers include Andrew Johnson, a former factual programmer with Corus Entertainment, and film investors Ann Birks, Cynthia Gordon and Kathie Mills. Tom Llewellin is attached as associate producer. A screenwriter for the film was not confirmed at press time.
In a statement, Melki said the film contrasts the lightness of the 1947 royal wedding with the darkness of the experience of concentration camps during the Second World War.
“Ultimately, this is a film about historical memory and how, sometimes, even if we do not want to, we have to look back and remember who we are,” she said.
Photo courtesy of Melki Films; pictured (L-R): Jennifer Robson and Viveka Melki