After years of delays, White Bird will finally be debuting in North American theaters. The World War II-era film, starring Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson, shows the dangers of being Jewish in German-occupied France and the lengths people went to, to keep their friends and family safe.
Serving as a sequel to 2017’s Wonder, which starred Bryce Gheisar, White Bird tells the story of Sara Blum, a Jewish girl growing up in German-occupied France during the Second World War. Blum was hidden by her friend, Julien, who teaches her his school curriculum at night, when its safer. They subsequently become each other’s first loves.
Following the Allied liberation of Monte Cassino, Julien’s arrested by the Germans and placed on a transport to a camp in the mountains. Unfortunately, he’s killed during an escape attempt with other prisoners.
Liongate acquired the rights to the R.J. Palacio book the film is based on in 2019, with it announced Marc Forster would be directing. The screenplay was written by Mark Bomback, with Palacio, David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman serving as the feature’s producers.
Mirren, Anderson, Orlando Schwerdt and Ariella Glaser’s castings were announced in early 2021, along with confirmation Gheisar would be reprising the role of Jacob. Mirren plays the role of the elder Sara Blum, while Anderson stars as Julien’s mother, Vivienne Beaumier.
White Bird was initially slated for release in September 2022, but it was delayed several times. A preview was shown at the 43rd San Francisco Jewish Film Festival in July 2023, with it finally hitting theaters in parts of Europe in January ’24.
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White Bird is slated to premiere in the United States on October 4, 2024.