A trio of talented actresses has been set for the period drama The Keeping Room.  It was announced today that Olivia Wilde, Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), and Nicole Beharie (Shame) will lead the film, which takes place towards the end of the Civil War and centers on three southern women—two sisters and one African American slave—who are forced to defend their home against an onslaught of soldiers who have broken off from the approaching Union Army.  Daniel Barber (Harry Brown) will direct from a script by Julia Hart.

It’s pretty great to see a period film dealing with this heady subject matter being fronted by three strong female actresses, and I’m excited to see how the full film plays out.  Wilde has become increasingly prolific as of late, Steinfeld was nominated for an Oscar for her work in 2010’s True Grit, and Beharie had a brief yet scene-stealing performance opposite Michael Fassbender in last year’s drama Shame. Production on The Keeping Room is slated to begin in March in North Carolina.  Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Here’s the press release:

LOS ANGELES, October 30, 2012 – Wind Dancer Films announced today that it has come on board to finance and produce THE KEEPING ROOM with Gilbert Films and Anonymous Content. Sierra/Affinity will handle international sales, introducing buyers to the film at this week’s American Film Market. WME Global arranged financing and will represent North America.

The film, written by Julia Hart and to be directed by Daniel Barber (HARRY BROWN, starring Michael Caine), will star Olivia Wilde (TRON: LEGACY, RUSH), Academy Award® nominee Hailee Steinfeld (TRUE GRIT, ENDERS GAME), and Nicole Beharie (SHAME, 42).  Jordan Horowitz of Gilbert Films and Matt Williams, David McFadzean, Judd Payne and Dete Meserve of Wind Dancer will produce. Gary Gilbert of Gilbert Films and Michael Sugar of Anonymous Content will Executive Produce, and Nicole Romano and Trevor Adley of Anonymous Content will serve as Co-Producers.

THE KEEPING ROOM tells the story of three Southern women – two sisters and one African American slave – who, left without men in the dying days of the Civil War, are forced to defend their home from the onslaught of a band of soldiers who have broken off from the fast approaching Union Army.

Principal photography is scheduled to begin in March in North Carolina.

"I am thrilled to be working with these three fantastic actors, and very excited to be directing this great script,” said Daniel Barber.

Noted Jordan Horowitz: "THE KEEPING ROOM is a cinematic, thrilling, and dangerous piece of material, and we could not be more excited with the team that has come together to bring this unique story to the screen.”  

Added Sierra/Affinity CEO Nick Meyer: “We are thrilled to be part of this special project filled with profound themes. Barber is a talented up-and-coming filmmaker, and we look forward to seeing his vision of the material realized.”