The Escape will highlight a very real yet greatly untalked about phenomenon - the plight of women who leave their children and families. The film will explore this issue in a deeply personal, human way, and offer understanding, empathy and hope.

Director Dominic Savage has assembled Gemma Arterton (THEIR FINEST, TAMARA DREWE, QUANTUM OF SOLACE) and Dominic Cooper (PREACHER, FLEMING, DEVILS DOUBLE) in the lead roles. Inspired by the producer’s experience on LOCKE, the team have workshopped the script over the summer months and shooting is scheduled for October 2016 in the UK and France.

Director of Photography Laurie Rose (FREE FIRE, HIGH-RISE) has also come on board, as has editor David Charap (SUNSET SONG, THE WOMAN IN THE FIFTH). Casting Director is Shaheen Baig (A MONSTER CALLS, LOCKE, FREE FIRE). Costumes will be designed by Liza Bracey (THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS, THE BOY IN STRIPED PYJAMAS).

Prolific film financier and distributor Lorton (OASIS: SUPERSONIC, MARADONA) founded by Julian Bird is financing and taking UK distribution rights.

Independent are handling International Sales and will launch the project at Toronto.

Independent’s MD Andrew Orr said “We are delighted to work together with Dominic, Guy and the talented cast and crew assembled on this original and daring story. THE ESCAPE is touching a very real subject that is however still very much taboo in our society – a woman who loves her children but does not feel fulfilled by the role of being a mother. We look forward to introducing the film at Toronto, and are confident that package and subject matter will chime with many buyers.”

Dominic Savage said “I am so excited to be collaborating with Gemma Arterton and Dominic Cooper on this film which is deeply personal to us. I look forward to embarking on a journey of truth and revelation that will tell this important story of motherhood, marriage, responsibility and freedom”.

Gemma Arterton said ”The Escape will be an exploration of marriage and motherhood. It is frank, honest and unapologetically from the woman's point of view. It will be extremely personal. I look forward to embarking on it, surrounded by people I trust and who understand the intention, and to digging deep and finding truth”.

Guy Heeley said “Just like Locke, The Escape has been created and will be shot in a unique and innovative way. Seeing Gemma and Dominic bring Dominic Savage’s bold and visceral screenplay to life is a delicious prospect”.

Gemma Arterton is represented by Independent and CAA.

Dominic Cooper is represented by Markham, Froggatt & Irwin and CAA.

 Synopsis:

The Escape is the story of an ordinary woman who makes an extraordinary decision.

Tara loves her children deeply and to all those around her, her life is seemingly perfect. But Tara feels trapped. She knows there is something fundamentally missing. Something unfulfilled. Something unknown . When her friends and family fail to understand the depth of her desperation, her ideas and feelings are so overwhelming that she has to run away, to find a place where she can be herself again. She goes on a courageous and perilous journey, leaving her husband and abandoning her children. Through a series of dangerous and incendiary encounters, she discovers the woman she really is, what she really feels and the life she really wants.