Award-winning London- and LA-based independent studio The Ink Factory (The Little Drummer Girl, Fighting with My Family, The Night Manager) is developing David Nott’s acclaimed and bestselling memoir War Doctor, which details his experiences as a medical volunteer in the world’s most dangerous war zones and devastating humanitarian crises. From Sarajevo under siege in 1993, to clandestine hospitals in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, NHS medic Nott carries out life-saving field surgery in the most challenging conditions – experiences which have helped countless people and made him the world’s leading trauma surgeon but which have also had far reaching consequences for his own life. His memoir was released on February 21st by Picador in the UK. The Ink Factory will finance and produce the feature, with David’s wife Eleanor Nott serving as Executive Producer alongside producer Tom Nash at The Ink Factory.
David Nott was named winner of the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award 2016 and has received honorary degrees from both the University of Salford and the University of St Andrews. The Guardian review of Nott’s memoir described the surgeon’s the collection of stories from the frontlines as “compelling” and “breath taking”, while The Times hailed his memoir as “superb, unforgettable, simply written and painfully clear”.
War Doctor follows his incredible career and life experiences in the epicentre of conflict-driven chaos, confronting both the ravages of violence and the resilience of the human spirit. War Doctor debuted at No. 1 in The Sunday Times bestseller list and spent 6 weeks in the Top 10.
The deal for the film rights was brokered by Nicky Lund at David Higham with Yogita Puri at The Ink Factory.
David Nott said: “I know that with The Ink Factory my book is in capable hands and am looking forward to their adaptation. I have been struck by Ink’s engagement with War Doctor and their enthusiasm for making a thoughtful and also thrilling film, with humanity at its core.”
Tom Nash at The Ink Factory added: “When I first read David’s extraordinary memoir I was struck by his incredible compassion, even in the most dangerous of environments. David is a truly modern hero: undoubtedly courageous, but not afraid to acknowledge his vulnerability and humanity. I look forward to working closely with David and Elly Nott to bring this important and inspirational story to the screen.”
Simon and Stephen Cornwell added: “It has been a very special pleasure getting to know David and Eleanor Nott. The work that they do, empowering medical professionals to support their communities in unimaginably challenging circumstances, is a tremendous act of peace in a world ravaged by brutal conflicts. Telling David’s incredible story is both a rare privilege and significant responsibility, however we know that this project has a solid creative guardian and indefatigable champion in Tom.”
