Justin Molotnikov has directed his fair share of television — particularly a series of several episodes on both Shoebox Zoo and High Times — but in 2009 he jumped into the medium of feature filmmaking with his debut, Crying with Laughter. I know next to nothing about the film, though I’ve since learned that it not only took home a Scotland BAFTA for Best First Film, but that it also caught the eye of the well-known American actress Juliette Lewis — enough of her eye, in fact, that she’s agreed to star in Molotnikov‘s follow-up feature, a contemporary noir titled Blood or Water. [The Hollywood Reporter]

“I am excited by Justin Molotnikov’s unconventional, completely organic approach to storytelling and filmmaking,” said Lewis about the up-and-coming Scottish director. “He creates one of a kind, totally engrossing stories with characters that jump off the screen.” Stephen McCole, Kate Dickie, Gary Lewis, and Greta Scacchi are set to join Lewis on screen. The production is scheduled to begin in spring 2012 in Scotland.

Lewis herself has been busy in the television arena as of late, especially with NBC’s The Firm. Her last stand-out film role came in Tony Goldwyn’s Conviction, which, in my view, was an unfortunately glanced over familial drama. Her upcoming big-screen titles include Hick, Foreverland, and Open Road. Hopefully those projects, along with Blood or Water, will continue to establish her image as a talent to be reckoned with.

Did you see Molotnikov’s debut film? What do you think of the casting of Lewis?