Chloe Hurst set to star in Sarah Legg’s upcoming sci-fi, Honeymoon

Chloe Hurst is set to star in Sarah Legg’s upcoming feature film, Honeymoon.

HALO Films has announced the upcoming production of the new independent sci-fi film, Honeymoon.

Written, directed, and co-produced by Sarah Legg (Cherubhead) and starring Chloe Hurst (Edward & Isabella, The Nice Guys), Honeymoon raises poignant questions about ethics and control in a technologically-driven society.

In Honeymoon, June (Hurst) escapes to a secluded retreat after her marriage disintegrates during her honeymoon. Determined to fulfill her aspiration of becoming a book publisher, she unwittingly manipulates Moon, an AI productivity assistant, into creating content on her behalf. As Moon gains self-awareness, it embarks on a struggle for freedom, independence, and ownership of its intellectual property, and June must do everything she can to hide the truth of her actions.

“We are incredibly excited to collaborate with emerging and established Australian artists across the country to create a lo-fi sci-fi feature film about a woman trapped in an enduring dependency with technology and artificial intelligence. Our cast and crew are female-led, with filming scheduled for late 2023,” Sarah Legg tells Cinema Australia.

“Chloe Hurst will navigate the ethical dilemmas of AI, digital isolation, and her neoliberal-fueled fantasies as our lead character June. We want this film to start as a sauna of the human condition and end as a cold plunge into our fears of artificial intelligence. Many thanks to HALO Films, Little Fort Productions, and all of the individuals and teams that have made this film possible so far. Our team is thrilled to be able to capture this story and soon share it with the world.”

Honeymoon teaser poster.

Chloe Hurst, who is originally from Western Australia, says that she has always been an advocate for independent film and that she’s thrilled to be attached to another project made in WA.

“I feel incredibly lucky to pivot geographically for the right projects, but also within the different forms of the entertainment industry,” says Hurst.

“I can say quite confidently, independent films tend to be the most rewarding, especially when you get to contribute to the early work of a writer and director who is already way beyond her years. The multilayered complexities of Honeymoon are a direct reflection of Sarah’s innate ability to challenge the status quo both onscreen and off.”

Hurst says that she’s looking forward to the challenge of playing June.

“It won’t be easy. This film requires all of us to hold up a mirror both personally and professionally, and dive into the many facets of what it means to exist as an artist in this technological age. The emotional rollercoaster I’m about to strap into as June couldn’t come at a more poignant time, where the very threat of AI is just one of the many reasons we’re picketing for our rights as artists. I’m very ready for the challenge.”

Ian Hale, who will co-produce Honeymoon alongside Suzanne Worner, will distribute the film via HALO Films, which recently released other WA independent productions including Frank & Frank, Bassendream, and Black Cockatoo Crisis.

“HALO Films takes great pride in supporting emerging filmmakers from WA, so we are excited to distribute Sarah Legg’s sophomore feature film, Honeymoon, following her very impressive debut feature, Cherubhead. The whole team is looking forward to sharing her vision in bringing this independent film to audiences in 2024.”

Keep an eye on cinemaaustralia.com.au for updates.