Filmmaker Gus Van Sant, greatest identified for Oscar winners “Good Will Looking” and “Milk,” has come on board to again psychosexual thriller “Antinous,” a modern-day drama impressed by the life and dying of Antinous, the homosexual lover of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Visible artist Stuart Sandford wrote and can direct the movie, which can be his characteristic movie debut.

“Antinous” tells the story of a present-day younger actor, who turns into satisfied he’s the reincarnation of Antinous, sparking a psychosexual drama that bridges the grandeur of historic Rome with Hollywood’s obsession with youth, magnificence and immortality.

Van Sant mentioned: “I’m excited to see Stuart Sandford, an incredible photographer and sculptor, create an attractive movie impressed by the historic relationship between Hadrian and Antinous.”

“Antinous has been on my thoughts for greater than a decade, and his story is one which few folks find out about,” Sandford mentioned. “As an artist, my work brings collectively concepts from classical antiquity into a up to date context. This movie takes that idea and expands it drastically. It’s a mirrored image of tolerating struggles with id, want, sexuality, obsession, fame, energy and societal expectations—themes simply as related at present as they have been in antiquity. Antinous’ story takes on profound significance. His life reminds us of the worry and vulnerability that comes with dwelling authentically beneath oppressive programs.”

The undertaking is produced by Dreamtown’s Ben Charles Edwards (“Quant,” “The Wheels of Heaven”), and Kirsty Bell (“A Fowl Flew In,” “Don’t Overlook Me”), and is government produced by Phil McKenzie (“Ronnies”).

Filming is scheduled to start within the second quarter of this 12 months, with places spanning London, Los Angeles and Greece, in co-production with the manufacturing firm and movie financier Goldfinch Leisure.

“It is a story that has remained within the shadows for a lot too lengthy—a younger man whose life and dying have rippled by way of historical past in artwork, literature and legend, but stays largely unknown,” Edwards mentioned. “Antinous’ story is not only historical past, it’s a mirrored image of tolerating struggles with id, want and societal expectations—themes as related at present as they have been in antiquity.”

Dreamtown’s latest initiatives embrace “Video Killed the Radio Star,” starring Harriet Cains and Luke Brandon Area, and “The Wheels of Heaven,” starring Mickey Rourke and Geoff Bell.