Keke Palmer to star in and exec produce ‘Alice’ for Krystin Ver Linden and Steel Springs Pictures
Steel Springs Pictures announced today that actress-producer-activist Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Grease Live!, TV’s Scream Queens) is set to star in the feature film Alice, from writer Krystin Ver Linden, who will also make her directorial debut. The compelling, character driven thriller will be produced by award-winning Producer Peter Lawson (Spotlight, John Wick) alongside Executive Producers Jose Agustin Valdes and Luisa Fernanda Espinosa of Steel Springs Pictures. Palmer is also an Executive Producer on the project. Steel Springs is fully financing with principal photography to begin in August in Georgia.
Alice marks the first feature film to go into production from Steel Springs Pictures which was recently launched by Producer, Peter Lawson.
Alice is inspired by the true events of a woman of servitude in 1800s Georgia, who escapes the 55 acre confines of her captor to discover the shocking reality that exists beyond the tree line… it’s 1973.
“So many films that depict this time in our history are rooted in victimization of the black female lead. This story is the opposite and that’s what attracted me to Krystin’s perspective. It tackles the harsh realities of slavery and white supremacy while also offering inspiration and vindication through the story of Alice’s journey. I don’t want anyone to leave the theater feeling debilitated, I want them to feel empowered,” said Palmer.
Writer/Director Krystin Ver Linden says: “Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny. Huey Newton’s resounding quote has been affixed on my corkboard for as long as I can remember picking up a pen to write. Those words echo every creative endeavor that I’ve undergone, so when I read about the true story of a woman who escaped the confines of a self-proclaimed plantation, becomes radicalized and seeks out her oppressor… It spoke to me on a very deep, undeniable level. Keke is a force to be reckoned with. Her talent, truth, strength and depth are beyond words and measure… A virtuoso of Keke’s caliber is a genuine dream to work with.”
Steel Springs Pictures’ Peter Lawson adds: “Keke is a prodigious talent and the perfect choice to step into the title role of Alice. This is such an important and emotional project, and when we saw Keke’s passion and vision for this woman and her story, we knew she was the one. With Krystin at the helm, we look forward to seeing her transform into this phenomenal character and bring her riveting story to life.”
Palmer has made her mark in a multitude of films and TV series, as a television host and as a singer and songwriter. Her most recent credits include Hustlers for STX, Pimp and the TV musical Grease Live! as well as FOX’s hit series “Scream Queens” and “Berlin Station” for EPIX. As a personality she is one of the hosts of “GMA3: Strahan, Sara and Keke” for which she was just nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and on Quibi’s “Singled Out” reboot.
Palmer is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment. Peter Lawson and Steel Springs Pictures are represented by Lichter Grossman Adler & Goodman.
He is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, accredited by the Cannes Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and more, is a member of the International Cinephile Society (ICS), The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA), Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) and the International Press Academy. Among his many achieved goals with AwardsWatch, he has given a platform to underrepresented writers and critics and supplied them with access to film festivals and the industry and calls the Bay Area his home where he lives with his husband and son.
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