Renowned actors Jason Clarke and Nick Robinson will be the main stars in a crime drama named after one of the most popular and notorious dark web markets-Silk Road.
Tiller Russell is the writer and the director of the film, also known as the director behind Operation Odessa (2018), Dirty Weekend (2015) and The Seven Five (2014).
The Story Behind 'Silk Road'
Aptly named "Silk Road," the film centers around the story of the notorious dark web market of the same name.
The screenplay is based on a 2014 Rolling Stone article written by David Kushner. The longform feature, titled 'Dead End On Silk Road,' goes through the depths of the drug bazaar of the 21st century and the new age of drugs in America.
Basically, the film covers the story of Ross Ulbricht, widely known as being the brain behind the Silk Road website.
He created the site in 2011 and was running the marketplace until 2013 when he was arrested.
Ulbricht is currently behind bars as he was convicted in 2015 for computer hacking, money laundering and conspiracy to traffic narcotics.
His criminal penalty is two terms of life imprisonment. He also has 40 additional years in prison without the possibility of parole.
His heavily-covered trial and conviction have stirred up countless critiques of the criminal justice system in the U.S.
The case led to a grassroots campaign dubbed FreeRoss, championed by his mother Lyn Ulbricht.
Now passing Ulbricht's fifth year behind bars, FreeRoss supporters are currently pushing for an executive clemency by the U.S. president, circulating a petition online and netting over 100,000 signatures for the cause.
Who's Behind the Film?
Last month it was announced that Jason Clarke and Nick Robinson would star as leads in the Silk Road production.
Clarke is best known from the television series Brotherhood, as well as films Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) Zero Dark Thirty (2012) and White House Down (2013).
Robinson is famous for his childhood roles in A Christmas Carol and Mame (both 2008 stage productions).
He's also known for roles in Jurassic World (2015), The Kings of Summer (2013), The 5th Wave (2015) and Love, Simon (2018).
The producers of the upcoming Silk Road film are Jack Selby and Duncan Montgomery, both of which are via banner of High Frequency Entertainment.
On the side of Perfect Seasons Productions, there are Stephen Gans and David Hyman, and on behalf of Mutressa Movies, there are Elika Portnoy and Alex Orlovsky.
When asked about the film, Montgomery and Orlovsky agreed that Russell has a unique voice as a documentary writer and filmmaker, and they're eager to make the film alongside him.
The crucial point in the movie is understanding the modern system of law enforcement. Ulbricht's life story is slated to be shared with the audience in a very authentic way, broadcasting candid energy and real-life occurrences.
Jonathan Kier, the president of sales and distribution at Sierra/Affinity LLC -which just launched sales for the film earlier this month-said he believes the crime drama will keep the viewers in continual suspense.
The film portrays the consequences of the intersection of the internet and crime, he added.
