'Borat' star Maria Bakalova joins rom-com 'The Honeymoon'

Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm star Maria Bakalova has joined the cast of a new romantic comedy.

The Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday that Bakalova, 25, will star in and produce the British-Italian film The Honeymoon.

Dean Craig (Love Wedding Repeat) will write and direct the new movie. Pico Alexander, Asim Chaudhry and Lucas Bravo co-star.

The Honeymoon follows newlywed couple Sarah (Bakalova) and Adam. The couple's romantic honeymoon in Venice, Italy, is gatecrashed by Adam's needy best friend, Ed, turning the vacation into a complete disaster.

"This film intrigued me because it's an escapist comedy that puts a twist on the classic buddy movie format by including a strong female character, particularly from Eastern Europe," Bakalova said. "I think after almost two years of this pandemic, we're all looking for something to lift our spirits and help us mentally escape our apartments. Very glad to be on the producing team of the film as well."

Deadline said filming on the project is underway in Venice and Rome.

Bakalova was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Tutar Sagdiyev in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. She will star in Judd Apatow's upcoming film The Bubble.