Noomi Rapace Stars in ‘Traction;’ WestEnd Films Launches Sales at EFM

Noomi Rapace is set to star in female-led action thriller “Traction,” which WestEnd Films is bringing to the EFM.

“Traction” is directed by Lorraine Darrow (“Pas Sages”) and is produced for Elizabeth Bay Prods. by Janette Day (“Close,” “Ghost World”), Dennis Davidson and Simon Moseley (“The Man Who Knew Infinity”). Jon Gosier and Chandler Heinz Laun of FilmHedge serve as executive producers, as do Elizabeth Bay’s Grant Hill, Eugene Koh and Clayton Heinz. WestEnd Films will introduce the project to buyers at EFM.

Production is set to begin in August. “Traction” marks WestEnd’s first collaboration with Dennis Davidson’s Elizabeth Bay Prods. and Atlanta-based FilmHedge, after first partnering last year.  FilmHedge will finance alongside Elizabeth Bay.

The high-stake thriller follows Kate (Rapace), a former U.S. soldier leading a humanitarian mission through war-torn Chechnya with her Chechen ally Magomed. But their mission turns deadly as they unwittingly harbor a young rebel, who’s transporting a mysterious package.

Darrow, who previously worked as first assistant director, wrote and developed the screenplay under the mentoring of Lana and Lilly Wachowski. “Traction” also boasts designed action sequences storyboarded by “The Matrix” artist Steve Skroce. Shakyra Dowling is the casting director.

Darrow said Rapace “brings so much to Kate’s character: strength, vulnerability and subtlety. I’m so impatient to work with her.”

WestEnd Films’ Maya Amsellem said: “Following the success of our previous collaboration on ‘Close,’ and with our shared commitment to telling powerful female stories, WestEnd is thrilled to be working again with Lorraine and Noomi on this exciting, action-packed film”

Davidson at Elizabeth Bay Prods. said, “I am delighted that the first film from our collaboration with WestEnd and FilmHedge is Traction. We all fell in love with Lorraine’s work and having Noomi…