Fresh from his success with the Natalie Portman-starring biopic Jackie, Chilean director Pablo Larraín has signed on to direct drama The True American, with Tom Hardy in the lead role.
The film depicts the real-life story of Rais Bhuiyan, a Bangladeshi immigrant who survived a hate crime attack in the days after 9⁄11. The attacker, Mark Anthony Stroman, killed two other immigrants in the Texas attack.
Get more Little White Lies
Stroman saw himself as an “Arab Slayer” and “a true American”, targeting anyone he believed to be Arab on his killing spree.
Despite being maimed and nearly killed in the horrific crime, Bhuiyan forgave Stroman and campaigned for him to be spared the death penalty.
The film is being adapted from Anand Giridharadas’ 2014 nonfiction book recounting the events. Kathryn Bigelow was originally expected to direct and is now listed one of the film’s producers.
Jackie was nominated for three Oscars, garnering further acclaim for 40-year-old Larraín, who made his directorial debut in 2006 with Fuga. His next film, Neruda, is in cinemas from 7 April and you can read our review here.
Tom Hardy has also been busy of late: his next film, the Christopher Nolan-directed war epic Dunkirk, arrives in cinemas 21 July.
