Ralph Fiennes is set to make his screenwriting feature debut with The Beacon; he will also direct.

Shooting is set to begin in Suffolk this summer on the film, that also stars Indira Varma, Charles Babalola and Alison Oliver.

The Beacon explores contemporary societal themes including family, identity, race and class. Gail Egan produces for Potboiler Productions.

The story revolves around Joshua Nyaga, a young Ugandan man who travels from London to the English countryside to spend a summer weekend with his girlfriend’s privileged family. The official synopsis reads: “Surrounded by the sea and lush natural landscape, the farm is an oasis, brimming with idealistic notions and lively debate amongst Cass’s father, stepmother, and their long-time friend of the family, Michael.

“But Joshua’s warm welcome is short-lived, when a sudden act of violent racism at the local summer concert shatters the peace forcing Joshua and those around him to confront the uncomfortable truth of their differences.”

Fiennes made his directorial debut in 2011, with Coriolanus, which he then followed with The Invisible Woman two years later.

Ralph Fiennes image credit: Dick Thomas Johnson and Creative Commons.