EXCLUSIVE: Oscar nominee Keira Knightley is set to star in dystopian sci-fi thriller Conception, in which the British government has taken control over parenting.

Written and directed by Camille Griffin (Silent Night), Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler are producing for Maven Screen Media and Fortitude is launching for international sales at the upcoming AFM.

CAA and Range Media Partners are handling domestic sales. Fortitude is also financing the film, which will be a UK production produced under an Equity contract.

The official synopsis reads: “Conception is a sci-fi thriller set in the not-too-distant future of Britain, where the government has taken authoritarian rule over parenting. The film follows Rita (Knightley), a loyal civil servant and believer in the unforgiving system she upholds, until unexpected events endanger her own parental status, rendering her victim to the same laws she so readily inflicted on others.

The film reunites Knightley and Griffin, who previously collaborated on the film Silent Night, also produced by Rattray and Styler. Additional casting is underway.

Maven said: “We are in awe of Camille’s vivid imagination and creative talent. She has a unique ability to express big complex ideas in every day, relatable events. We are thrilled to reassemble the Silent Night team and work with Keira again.”

Camille Griffin added: “I’m lucky to have found in Keira, a better (certainly more attractive) version of myself to project my creativity onto. Keira is as great an ally as she is a talent. I plan to make a unique and exciting film together.”

Camille Griffin is represented by CAA and Range Media Partners. Keira Knightley is represented by United Agents, Range Media Partners, Narrative and Jason Sloane.