The Walking Dead star Laurie Holden has joined Bright Pictures and Fierce Productions’ feature film HONEYTRAP as an Executive Producer.
Set in London and inspired by true events, HONEYTRAP is an urban drama seen from a girl's point of view.
Yearning for love and status, 15-year-old Layla is swept into a whirlwind romance with self-styled gang leader/rapper Troy – and then spat out the other side. Desperate to win Troy back, Layla offers to set up the boy who's in love with her to be killed.
Writer and director Rebecca Johnson of Fierce Productions was named one of Screen International’s ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ in 2009, and has been making films looking at aspects of life in Brixton for the last 10 years. Her short film Top Girl screened at over 30 film festivals in 2009 including Berlin, Rotterdam, Clermont-Ferrand and Los Angeles, winning numerous awards and selling to Canal+ and other broadcasters.
Holden and HONEYTRAP producer Sarah Sulick of Bright Pictures have remained in touch since studying together at UCLA. In recent years Laurie has campaigned extensively for women’s rights, working with leaders in the field such as Somaly Mam in South East Asia. She was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Rights at Columbia University in NYC when she was cast in The Walking Dead. Laurie was keen to get on board with HONEYTRAP, particularly as the film looks at gang culture from a girl’s perspective, and has now officially joined the team.
Ms. Holden said: “I am excited about this story. Rarely do girls like HONEYTRAP’s Layla get a voice in contemporary film and television, except as the girlfriend or victim. But their viewpoint needs to be seen and heard so that we can understand the pressures they face and what drives them. I’ve always loved London and am coming over for an extended visit in April. I’m keen to promote the film and encourage involvement from a variety of sources.”
Sarah Sulick said: “We’re delighted to have the support of Laurie. She had a visceral response to the screenplay and is very passionate about the project. Combined with the contributions we’re already receiving for the film both from the public pledging money through our Crowdfunding campaign, and grants from foundations, we’re now in a position to drive forward with production.”
