'Equals' is an upcoming science-fiction film starring Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. A24 Films has recently acquired the U.S rights with DirecTV. Stewart also goes completely naked for Mario Testino's 'Towel Series'.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, A24 Films acquired the U.S. rights for Drake Doremus' upcoming science-fiction romance film starring Stewart and Hoult as star-crossed lovers Nia and Silas. The film first screened at the Venice International Film Festival and later debuted at the recent Toronto International Film Festival last September 13. Several big production and distribution companies competed for the chance to acquire its rights including Sony Pictures Classics.
A24 Films, an independent film distribution, production and finance company, landed the deal together with DirecTV to bring 'Equals' to U.S. viewers. The company has also procured the rights for Asif Kapadia's 'Amy', James Ponsoldt's 'The End of the Tour', as well as Lenny Abrahamson's 'Room'. According to Indiewire, DirecTV will release the film before A24 debuts it in U.S. theaters.
The upcoming drama is set in a seemingly utopian society where human emotions have been completely eradicated to keep the peace. It follows the story of Nia and Silas, infected by the Switched-On-Syndrome (SOS), as they fall in love despite the unfortunate consequences of such actions. They decide to escape society and become outcasts in order to be together.
Stewart and Hoult previously talked about the effect their new roles had on their personal lives, with both saying that it was generally exciting and enlightening to portray futuristic people donning coordinated bodysuits who had to keep their emotions in check. Stewart, for one, revealed that she was in fact a very "mood oriented" person who was inclined to avoid situations that don't feel "real" to her.
The 25-year old actress also reportedly posed naked for Mario Testino's ongoing 'Towel Series', according to New York Daily News. Testino released his photoshoot with Stewart through his Instagram account, which boasts 1.6 million followers. The black-and-white photograph showed a provocative Stewart posing with nothing but a carefully draped towel.
Testino once admitted in an interview with Vogue that he didn't photograph just anyone in his popular series. The "private club" already consisted of Selena Gomez, Cara Delevigne, Kate Upton, Blake Lively and even Justin Bieber.
The fashion photographer wrote of the concept on his website saying, "I think girls and guys feel this freedom at being able to express themselves because there is no predetermined way of how they should put the towel on... You can do anything you want ... wear it however you want."
'Equals' was selected to compete for the Golden Lion award at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival. It also debuted as part of the Special Presentations program at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.
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