Cathy Yan, director of the upcoming Harley Quinn spinoff Birds Of Prey, has found her next project. She will direct Sour Hearts for acclaimed studio A24. The film is based on Jenny Zhang‘s debut short story collection, who will co-write the script with Yan. A24 had originally optioned the collection back in 2017.
The film will revolve around a girl growing up in the outer boroughs of New York in the 90s. Newly arrived from Shanghai, the girl and her family work through the unique trials of attempting to ascend to the middle class. The story has been described as a coming-of-age tale with insight and humour, and offers a sweeping perspective on the humility and heartache of the immigrant experience.
Zhang’s collection was celebrated on many best-of-the-year lists, including in the New Yorker, the Guardian, and Esquire. She is also an acclaimed poet and essayist, and also a writer on the upcoming, as-yet-untitled DuPlass HBO series.
Considering Yan came out of essentially nowhere to land the Birds Of Prey gig, she’s making some major moves. She beat out a number of directors for the Harley Quinn spinoff, reportedly wowing studio heads with her pitch. That film won’t arrive until February 2020, but already has plenty of excitable buzz around it.
Sour Hearts sounds like a much more personal, intimate project. With Yan likely beginning her ascent to major director, and A24 – who constantly deliver brilliant films – producing, this is another upcoming film and filmmaker worth keeping an eye on.
#Peace.Love.SourHearts
