American Film Market Dailies

Brian O'Shea, The Exchange CEO, announced today that director, Justin Chadwick will be helming the epic sweeping adventure: THE LADY AND THE PANDA.

Chadwick's notable credits include Sony's THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, BBC Films' THE FIRST GRADER and Weinstein's MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM and the upcoming TULIP FEVER.

THE LADY AND THE PANDA is a UK / Chinese co-production, produced by Academy award nominee Laura Bickford (TRAFFIC, BEASTS OF NO NATION) and Michelle Qi, Europe China Picture Group C.E.O., executive producers are Joe Simpson of Miscellaneous Entertainment (TERMINAL, WHY WE'RE KILLING GUNTHER), Andrew Mann (IMPERIUM, LAST KNIGHTS), and Fiona Druckenmiller (BEASTS OF NO NATION).

THE LADY AND THE PANDA is the inspirational true adventure of 1930's New York socialite Ruth Harkness, the first person ever to bring a live giant panda out of China and to the world's attention.  When Ruth loses her wealthy explorer husband unexpectedly, she takes over his expedition to China. Ignoring the dictates of society, she joins forces with an unproven but dashing Chinese guide, Quentin Young. They travel down the Yangtze and deep into the uncharted Himalayas, where, against all odds, they rescue an orphaned baby panda. When Ruth takes it back to the U.S., she creates a nationwide sensation, "Pandamonium!" but before long she realizes these incredible animals are best preserved in their natural habitat.

THE LANDY AND THE PANDA original screenplay is penned by Justin Chadwick, Laura Bickford and Holly Gent Palmo based on Ruth Harkness' original detailed correspondence.

Ray Becket, who won an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Sound Mixing for THE HURT LOCKER, costume designer Terry Anderson whose credits include INCEPTION, COLLATERAL and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER and award-winning Production Designer Juiping Cao (KILL BILL: Vol 1, RAISE THE RED LANTERN) are also working on the film.

THE LADY AND THE PANDA will begin filming all over the Sichuan region, in the foothills of the Himalayas in China in November 2016.

"Pandas, the most universally loved animals on this planet, combined with a world class director, a terrific production crew and amazing script, THE LADY AND THE PANDA will be a grand theatrical experience that the entire world will love", said Brian O'Shea from The Exchange.

The Exchange line-up includes Award winning documentary GLEASON, A STREET CAT NAMED BOB, KICKBOXER: VENGEANCE and RETALIATION and is starting production on Stephanie Laing's IRREPLACEABLE YOU November'16.

About The Exchange:

Collaborative and transparent, The Exchange is a leading international sales and finance company committed to creating strong relationships between filmmakers, film financers and distributors through the exchange of product, information and commerce. Created by veteran sales executive Brian O'Shea, the company specializes in high quality, commercial films that appeal to North American audiences and the ever-evolving global film market. For more information, please visit: www.theexchange.ws.