Legendary Television has acquired the rights to Anna Dorn’s novel “Perfume and Pain.” Clea DuVall will write and direct. diversity has only learned.
The book is described as “a sexy and twisted character drama about a hopelessly romantic and equally reckless Sapphic novelist on the verge of both superstardom and utter self-destruction – depending on which way the wind blows and which pill she pops next. Astrid must write her own redemption into healing, true love and success… before she succumbs to the vices that threaten to tear her apart.”
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The book was originally published in the U.S. by Simon & Schuster on May 21. Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler will produce under their banner Killer Films.
Dorn’s other works include “Exalted,” “Bad Lawyer,” and “Vagablonde.” Her next novel, “American Spirits,” is forthcoming from Simon & Schuster, with Gersh and Sanford J. Greenburger Associates serving as her publishing representative.
DuVall is an acclaimed actress, writer, director and producer. She made her directorial debut with the indie comedy The Intervention. DuVall wrote, co-produced and starred in the film alongside Natasha Lyonne and Jason Ritter. The film won the Special Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. DuVall recently co-created, executive produced and voiced the Fox animated series HouseBroken. Her other credits include the Amazon Freevee series High School and the romantic comedy Happiest Season.
She is represented by UTA and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.
Vachon and Koffler co-founded Killer Films in 1995. During that time, the company produced such films as “Kids,” “I Shot Andy Warhol,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “One Hour Photo,” “Beatriz at Dinner” and “Dark Waters.” More recently, Killer Films has been behind films such as “May December” and “Past Lives,” as well as shows such as “Mildred Pierce” and “Halston.”
(Pictured: Clea DuVall; Anna Dorn)
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