Andrea Arnold to Direct First U.S. Film 'American Honey'

When Andrea Arnold makes a movie, which isn't that often, she doesn't set about going the usual route. Typically she takes it upon herself to cast talents who have either never been given a shot at leading roles before, or in some cases have never acted. Her breakout feature Red Road gave Kate Dickie her first lead; her incredible coming-of-age film Fish Tank was sparked by Katie Jarvis' energetic performance (where did she go, anyway?); and Wuthering Heights was all about newcomer James Howson. Now Arnold is prepping her next film and one has to wonder who she'll discover next?

Arnold is in the U.S. for her first stateside film, American Honey, which she will also write the screenplay for. And it sounds like material that would fit in Arnold's wheelhouse of exploring youthful passions, as the film will "follow a teenage girl who joins a traveling magazine sales crew and gets caught up in a whirlwind of hard-partying, law-bending and young love."

Casting is underway now, and Arnold has been in the U.S. for months doing research. She discovered Jarvis randomly when she spotted the girl arguing with her boyfriend on the street, so we know Arnold has the eye for talent. Let's just wait and see who she finds next. [ScreenDaily]