‘This Closeness’ Director Kit Zauhar Adapting ‘How Should a Person Be?’ for ‘Shiva Baby’ Producer Neon Heart Productions (EXCLUSIVE)
Kit Zauhar will adapt “How Should a Person Be?,” the 2010 novel from acclaimed Canadian author Sheila Heti, for the screen. Neon Heart Productions, which previously worked with Zauhar on her second feature “This Closeness,” is developing the book. According to the logline, the film adaptation will focus on “a young artist [who] faces an early mid-life crisis when a new friendship makes her question her marriage and everything else about her current life path.”
Heti is the author of eleven books to date including “Pure Colour,” “Alphabetical Diaries” and “Motherhood,” which was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. “How Should a Person Be? will be the first film adaptation of her work.
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Zauhar’s most recent film, “This Closeness,” is a relationship drama that she directed and wrote. It premiered in theaters this week after debuting at SXSW to critical acclaim. Her feature directorial debut, “Actual People,” premiered at Locarno Film Festival and went on to play at BAMcinemaFest, Jeonju Film Festival and Taipei Film Festival, among others. It is currently streaming worldwide on Mubi.
“Neon Heart is very excited to bring together such an iconic and beloved novel with a fresh voice,” said Rhianon Jones, fellow filmmaker and founder of Neon Heart Productions. This film is an important continuation of our work of fostering female filmmakers. While working together on ‘This Closeness,’ we were very impressed by Kit’s astute sensibility when it comes to capturing the struggles and angst of people in their late twenties, and think her voice is the perfect fit for adapting Sheila’s novel.”
Neon Heart Productions is an independent film company providing mentorship and financing for female filmmakers. In addition to “This Closeness,” Neon Heart’s previous productions include: Emma Seligman’s “Shiva Baby,” Amanda Kramer’s “Give Me Pity!,” Monica Sorelle’s “Mountains” and the upcoming Hannah Pearl Utt-directed “Cora Bora,” which opens on June 14.
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