MichaelCaton-Jones is to direct John Hurt in ShootingDogs for BBC Films and sales company Renaissance Films.

Hurt plays apriest who forges a friendship with Joe, a young teacher, against the backdropof the Rwandan genocide. The film explores the dilemma of peacekeepers caughtup in a dangerous world, where they feel powerless to act effectively.

The filmre-unites Hurt, who was born in Africa, and Caton-Jones after theircollaborations on Scandal and Rob Roy. A CrossDay Productionsco-production with Egoli Tossell, it will shoot on location in Rwanda in Julyand August. David Belton, Pippa Cross and Jens Meurer are producing from ascreenplay by David Wolstencroft.

Meanwhile, AbbieCornish, the hot Australian star of buzz Un Certain Regard title Somersault, has joined the cast of Candy, Renaissance's love story starringHeath Ledger and Geoffrey Rush.

Shooting isscheduled to start in Australia this year under director Neil Armfield, aleading theatre and opera director making his crossover into film.