Metfilm Distribution has announced that ‘Preparation for the Next Life', the bold and unflinching debut narrative feature from Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Bing Liu, will arrive in UK and Ireland cinemas on 12th December.
Released in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, the film has already drawn widespread acclaim on the festival circuit. It has been praised for its emotional depth, intimate performances and striking visual style.
Adapted from Atticus Lish’s prize-winning novel, ‘Preparation for the Next Life' follows Aishe – played by newcomer Sebiye Behtiyar – an undocumented Uyghur immigrant searching for a chance at stability in New York. Working in Chinatown’s hidden kitchen economy, her world shifts when she meets Fred Hechinger (‘Nickel Boys', ‘Gladiator II') as Skinner, a young American soldier struggling with the psychological scars of three deployments in the Middle East. As the pair navigate loneliness, trauma and the fragile promise of hope, their unexpected connection becomes a lifeline in a city that often looks past people like them.
Early critical reaction has been positive, reflecting the quality of the cast and crew involved. The screenplay is by Tony Award-nominee and Pulitzer Prize-winner Martyna Majok (‘Cost of Living'), while the producing team includes Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner of ‘Plan B' ('12 Years a Slave', ‘Moonlight') alongside Mark Ceryak, Adele Romanski and Barry Jenkins of ‘PASTEL' (‘Moonlight', ‘If Beale Street Could Talk'). Executive producers include Bing Liu, Brad Pitt and Sophia Lin.
Liu, best known for his Oscar-nominated documentary ‘Minding the Gap' and ‘All These Sons', steps into narrative filmmaking for the first time with a story that resonates on a deeply personal level, drawing inspiration from his own family’s history.
See Metfilm for more details about where you can catch the movie, and watch the trailer below.
