‘The Man With The Miraculous Hands’ By Oren Moverman.
Oren Moverman (“The Messenger”) is writing and directing WWII psychological thriller, which is an adaptation of French writer Joseph Kessel’s 1960 novel “The Man With the Miraculous Hands: The Fantastic Story of Felix Kersten, Himmler’s Private Doctor”. Woody Harrelson and Andy Serkis star in the lead roles. Jercio Films (division of Vendome Group) and SND will co-produce the film. SND will also distribute in France.
Three time Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson (True Detective S:1) will play the role of Felix Kersten, A Finnish-born medical proffesional serving as Himmler’s personal physician and prisoner. Andy Serkis (The Batman, Lord Of The Rings) will play leading Nazi Heinrich Himmler.
Synopsis: Felix Kersten, a renowned, apolitical medical masseuse, becomes the personal doctor to one of the most powerful and feared men in Nazi Germany: the chronically ill Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS and chief architect of the Holocaust. As war rages all over Europe and Himmler’s health declines while his authority grows, Kersten finds himself in an unique position to influence decision-making at the highest level inside the Third Reich. playing a very dangerous game that may cost him his life at every turn and using medical skills as weapon, the doctor manages to influence Himmler, turn him against Hitler, and, in turn, save many thousands of lives.
France’s SND boarded the project for a Cannes market launch in May. They have taken international sales rights as well as distribution rights in France. Philippe Rousselet at Vendome Films and Eric Jehelmann at Jerico Films lead produce. The companies are subsidiaries of Paris-based Vendome Group, (which was behind Oscar-winner “Coda”).
Movermann most recently served as producer on HBO’s “Bad Education”, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie in 2020.
The project marks the latest collaboration between Moverman and Harrelson, who previously teamed up on “Rampart” and “The Messenger”. The latter was Oscar-nominated for best original screenplay, while Harrelson also received a best supporting actor nomination.
Producer Jehelmann added “Even 70 years on after the end of the conflict, the Second World War still manages to reveal some of the most deeply moving untold stories of those who managed to triumph against adversity.” he also stated that Kessel’s novel “sheds new light on the end of the war.”
Jehelmann described Harrelson and Moverman as “two jewels of American cinema” and said the pair will “help (them) create a moving, politically accurate and authentic film.”
Although Woody Harrelson signed on to the movie in 2021, principal photography began in fall in 2024.
