Saoirse Ronan and Kate Winslet Hunt for Fossils and Love in ‘Ammonite’ Trailer

Written and directed by Francis Lee, the film will be released by Neon in the United States and Lionsgate in the U.K.

Set in England in the 1800s, Winslet plays Mary Anning, a fossil hunter who works alone on the rugged coastline in the south of the country. With her days of making famous geological discoveries behind her, she now searches for common fossils to sell to tourists to support herself and her sickly mother. One day, a wealthy tourist pays a visit to Mary and asks her to take care of his ailing wife Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan), who suffers from “melancholia.” Charlotte’s husband offers too much to turn down, and Mary has herself a new apprentice, albeit one who doesn’t “like the water.”

Mary and Charlotte initially clash due to their different social classes and personalities, but over time they begin to form an intense and passionate bond, compelling them to determine the true nature of their relationship.

In addition to Ronan and Winslet, fellow cast members include Gemma Jones, James McArdle, Alec Secareanu and Fiona Shaw.

“Ammonite” was set to play at the Cannes Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival prior their cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will have its debut at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

A release date for “Ammonite” will be announced at a later time. Watch the trailer below.