I SWEAR Wraps Production

Principal Photography has wrapped on writer/director Kirk Jones’ I Swear in Glasgow, Scotland. I Swear is the inspiring, extraordinary life story of notable Tourette’s Syndrome campaigner, John Davidson, MBE,

Playing Davidson is Robert Aramayo (a fan favourite for his recurring performances in Amazon Prime Video’sThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and HBO’s Game of Thrones, Dance First, Behind Her Eyes), with supporting cast including British stage and screen performer Maxine Peake (Silk, The Theory of Everything, Funny Cow, Shameless), Scottish BAFTA-winning Shirley Henderson (upcoming Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Harry Potter franchise, Trainspotting), and veteran Scottish actor and Cannes Best Actor Award winner & Golden Lion winner Peter Mullan (War Horse, The Magdalene Sisters, Children of Men). The production worked closely with the Tourette’s community, casting individuals who live with Tourette’s.

Jones’ emotionally engaging, funny and compelling script charts John Davidson’s troubled teens and early adulthood, stemming from his diagnosis at 15 years old for Tourette’s, which was a little known and entirely misunderstood condition in 1980s Britain. Targeted as insane by his peers, Davidson lives with a condition few have ever witnessed, as he attempts to live a ‘normal’ life against the odds.

Produced by Georgia Bayliff and Piers Tempest for Tempo and Kirk Jones for One Story High. Bankside Films will handle international sales and will be introducing the film to buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival. 

Jones’ first film was the multi award-winning and globally successful Waking Ned Devine, for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer. His other credits include Universal’s McPhee, written by and starring Emma Thompson, Everybody’s Fine starring Robert De Niro, Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and What to Expect When You’re Expecting with Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Rock and Anna Kendrick and Universal’s My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. 

In a joint statement, writer/director Jones and fellow producers Bayliff and Tempest marked the end of production on I Swear by saying ‘It has been a pleasure and an honour to bring to life the story of John Davidson MBE. John lived with Tourette’s at a time when it was misunderstood and he has spent his life trying to make sure those diagnosed today do not have to go through what he went through. Robert Aramayo could not have prepared or committed any more to the role and delivers a breath-taking performance, spending months with John, in Galashiels. The team were determined to serve the story and deliver a film that captured the humour, emotion and drama of living with Tourette’s. This unique project has been a privilege to work on for all crew, cast and production.’

John Davidson, an executive producer on the project, alongside Cindy Jones, added: “Working on this project has been absolutely mind blowing. The cast and crew have been 100% committed and respectful of my condition and spending time with Kirk and Rob has been an amazing experience, even if sometimes emotional. This film is about my experience living with Tourette’s Syndrome and I only pray that it brings more understanding and acceptance for those living with Tourette’s and allows them to go on and fulfil their dreams.”