EXCLUSIVE: Jemaine Clement, best known as one half of the comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, has linked up with Grace Is Gone helmer James C. Strouse for indie feature People Places Things. New Zealander Clement stars as a newly single, under-employed graphic novelist navigating life, his young twin daughters, a case of writer’s block, a classroom full of students, and a new love while letting go of the woman who left him.
Strouse recently wrapped principal photography, directing from his own script. Regina Hall, Stephanie Allynne, and Jessica Williams round out the cast of People Places Things. Michael B. Clark and Alex Turtletaub are producing for Big Beach spin-off shingle Beachside. Beachside’s Tim Foley is exec producer alongside Summer Shelton. Sundance award-winner Strouse, a recipient of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award, made his writing debut with 2005’s Lonesome Jim for director Steve Buscemi and also penned Grace Is Gone starring John Cusack and The Winning Season starring Sam Rockwell. Strouse wrote the upcoming The Hollars starring Anna Kendrick and Mary Elizabeth Winstead and directed by John Krasinski.
Clement has parlayed his Conchords mojo into big screen roles in Gentlemen Broncos, Dinner For Schmucks, Men In Black 3, and Rio 2. Before taking on broader comic roles, he also starred for fellow Kiwi Taika Waititi in the 2007 Sundance rom-com Eagle Vs. Shark. He’s repped by CAA. Strouse and Hall are repped by ICM. Williams is repped by UTA and Allynne repped by Gersh.