Jean-Louis is set to play the leading man in the new Turning Point Pictures project written and directed by Leila Djansi. The pair had recently teamed up for an African epic “I Sing of a Well,” which garnered 11 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay and, Best Director from the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards announced on Mar. 7.

“I am elated to work with Jimmy again. He is a very passionate person who is also very interested in seeing the right kind of stories told. We are always on the same page, and I am looking forward to what we are going to put out together,” said Djansi.

‘Sinking Sands’ is a psychological drama about a couple, Jimah (Jean-Louis) and Pabi (Ama K. Abebrese) in a loving marriage which turns into one of violence and abuse when Jimah becomes disfigured in a domestic accident.

“I am fascinated by the character I am to portray. It gives me an opportunity to step outside myself and to somehow understand what it means to have a physical flaw and be judged based on that. I think this is going to be very exciting and worthwhile,” explains Jean-Louis.

“The story is one that deals with some tough issues without sugar coating, and I am delighted to work with Jimmy Jean-Louis. I have always admired his work,” said an excited Abebrese, who is making her acting debut in an international feature.

Jean-Louis has had a successful career as an international model and actor. Early in his career he honed his acting skills in a number of independent films, which led to him landing a supporting role in Jean Claude Van Damme’s “Derailed” which set the stage for subsequent roles with other Hollywood notables. He went on to secure major roles in “Tears of the Sun” (Columbia Pictures, 2003) with Bruce Willis and Monica Belluci, “Hollywood Homicide” (Revolution Studios, 2003) with Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnet, “Monster-in-law” (New Line Cinema, 2005) with Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez and “The Game of Our Lives” (IFC Films 205) with Patrick Stewart, Wes Bentley and Gerard Butler. He played the lead role in “Phat Girlz” ((Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2006), starring opposite Academy Award winner Mo’Nique as her love interest. Currently playing The Haitian on NBC’s “Heroes,” Jean-Louis is also the founder of Hollywood Unites for Haiti, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing and educating underprivileged youth of Haiti to the arts and sports, and is concentrating his efforts on Haiti after the devastating earthquakes.

British-Ghanaian TV hostess and actress Ama K. Abebrese was a presenter on BBC2’s youth show “Pass da Mic” and the English File educational series. She is currently a regular TV presenter on OBE TV, hosting and producing on a number of shows including “One Touch” and the entertainment chat show “On the Sofa.”

Casting for other roles is ongoing according to the film’s producer, Nick Manousakis, who projects a late fall release through Neoclassic Films Studios new home entertainment division, NHE.