Ted Evans Sets All-Deaf Lead Cast for Thriller ‘Retreat,’ XYZ Launching at AFM (EXCLUSIVE)

Production is now underway on writer/director Ted Evans’ debut thriller “Retreat,” starring Anne Zander, James Boyle and Sophie Stone, with Ace Mahbaz and Anna Seymore rounding out the cast. 

The film, featuring an all-deaf principal cast (Evans is also deaf), is set in an isolated deaf community, where cracks begin to appear in Matt’s (Boyle) seemingly idyllic world when the arrival of enigmatic outsider Eva (Zander) forces him to question the realities of his identity. Is Matt prepared to discover what lies beneath the surface of his supposedly utopian community and the costs demanded to maintain it?

XYZ Films is handling worldwide sales on “Retreat” as a part of their New Visions slate of films, an initiative designed to spotlight the boldest new voices alongside established talent striking a new path in the international space. It will be introducing the film to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.

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“Retreat” is produced by The Fold and 104 Films, Michelle Stein (“Sky Peals”), Jennifer Monks and Alex Usborne (“Notes on Blindness”), with financing provided by BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), BBC Film and West Midlands Production Fund. Claudia Yusef for BBC Film, Louise Ortega for BFI and Paul Ashton for Creative UK are executive producing.  

“XYZ is beyond thrilled to be working with Ted Evans on his debut feature,” said Todd Brown, head of international acquisitions at XYZ. “We immediately fell in love with this unique and compelling world from the first page of the script. Imagine Karyn Kusama’s ‘The Invitation’ blended with ‘CODA’ and you have the world of Evans’ ‘Retreat.’ It is tense and striking and there’s never been anything quite like it.”

Added The Fold: “Ted’s vision for the world’s first deaf thriller is as exciting as it seems and we can’t wait to share this unique film with audiences.”

From East London, Evans communicates in both spoken English and British Sign Language. He started his career at a small production company, before progressing from researcher to director at the BBC. In 2012 he co-wrote and directed two films for the Paralympic Opening Ceremony and received international acclaim for his award-winning shorts, “The End” and “Retreat.” He recently directed his first music video and a documentary, “Signs for Change” featuring Rose Ayling-Ellis, which aired on BBC1 after being showcased at Sheffield’s Doc Fest in 2023.

New titles from the XYZ Films studio include “Daniela Forever,” starring Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannó, “Full Throttle Mindset,” starring Josh Duhamel and Lukas Gage, “Flesh of the Gods,” directed by Panos Cosmatos and starring Kristen Stewart and Oscar Isaac, “He Bled Neon” with Joe Cole and Rita Ora, “Kill Me” with Allison Williams and Charlie Day, and “Free Fall” starring Zachary Levi and directed by Zoë Bell. XYZ Films recently announced the global acquisition of “The Ritual” starring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens.

Evans is represented by Ellen Gallagher at Casarotto, Ramsay & Associates.