IRELAND Production Listings - March 15 2004

AURORA ISLAND
(Magma Films [Irl] Art Oko Film [Ger]). Co-Prods: Future Film [UK]. Budget: Euros 5m. Backers: Buena Vista [Ger]. Dist: Buena Vista (Germany). Genre: Thriller. Exec. Prods: Ralph Christians, Stephen Margolis, Michele Berk. Prods: Karel Dirka, Clodagh Freeman. Dir: Peter Medak. Scr: Agatha Dominik, Robert Newton. DoP: Elemer Ragalyi. Prod des: Michael Pickwood. Cast: Lena Olin, Lynn Redgrave, Patrick Bergin. Shooting Summer 2004.
Contact: Clodagh Freeman, Magma Films, (353) 91 569 142.

BABY BABY
(Samson Films) Backers: Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission. Prod: David Collins, Martina Niland, Colin McKeown. Dir/Wri: Scott Morgan. Shooting Summer 2004 for 4-5 weeks in Belfast.
Contact: Martina Niland, Samson Films, (353) 1 667 0533. info@samsonfilms.com

GUNS, MONEY & HOMECOOKING
(Guns Money Films [UK]) Int'l sales: Beyond Films, UK Dist: Momentum Pictures. Heist/comedy. Four inept robbers on the run take refuge in what they think is a deserted lighthouse, only to discover that it is the home of an elderly lady who, it turns out, is not quite what she seems. Prod: Phillip Emanuel. Dir: Nadia Tass. Scr: Patrick Edgeworth. Cast: Vinnie Jones, Ronan Keating, Anna Friel.
Contact: Beyond Films, (44) 20 7636 9613, Philip Emanuel (44) 20 7383 3200.

HOME
(Samson Films) Prod: David Collins, Martina Niland. Dir: Kieron J Walsh. Wri: Carmel Callan. Shooting in Dublin late Summer 2004.
Contact: Martina Niland, Samson Films, (353) 1 667 0533. info@samsonfilms.com

TURF
(Grand Pictures [Irl], Barian Entertainment [UK], Great British Films [UK]). Budget: £3m. Dist: BVI (Ireland). Contemporary comedy drama set in rural Ireland. Dir/Wri: Shay Leonard. Co-Prods: Michael Garland, Alexis Bicat. Cast: Colm Meaney, Connie Nielsen. Shooting in Sligo in early Summer 2004.
Contact: Michael Garland, Grand Pictures, (353) 1 860 2290

VALHALLA
(Treasure Entertainment) Backers: Irish Film Board, Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission. Prod: Rob Walpole. Dir/Wri: Pearse Elliot. Shooting from May 2004, primarily in Belfast.
Contact: Rob Walpole, Treasure Entertainment, (353) 1 670 9609.

IN LIKE FLYNN
(Subotica Entertainment) Prod: Tristan Lynch, Dominic Wright. Cast: Robert Carlisle, Kelly Riley, Ray Winstone. An Ireland/Scotland co-production shooting late May to July.
Contact: Tristan Lynch, Subotica Entertainment, (353) 1 662 2226. subotica@indigo.ie

WIDE BLUE YONDER
(Titian Red Pictures) A caper film set in a retirement home. Prod: Kevin Byron Murphy, Rachel Downey. Co pro: Paul Munn. Dir: Robert W. Young. Wri: Hugh Janes. Prod des: Humphrey Jaeger, DoP: Robin Vidgeon. Cost: Nigel Boyd. Ed: Jeremy Strachan. Prod acct: Con Cremins. Cast: Lauren Bacall, Ian Holm, Lauren Ambrose, James Fox, Max Beesley. A UK/Ireland co-production shooting in and around Dublin for six weeks from early May.
Contact: Kevin Byron Murphy, Titian Red Pictures, (353) 1 213 0601

ADAM AND PAUL
(Porridge Pictures) Backers: Irish Film Board, RTE, Xtra-Vision, private equity. Friends since they were small boys, Adam & Paul have withered into two hapless, desperate junkies, tied together by habit and necessity. A stylised downbeat physical comedy, the film follows the boys over the course of a single day, which like every other, is entirely devoted to the business of scrounging and robbing money for drugs. The directorial feature debut of Lenny Abrahamson, an award-winning commercials director. Pro: Jonny Speers. Exec Pro: Ed Guiney. Dir: Lenny Abrahamson. Wri: Mark O'Halloran. DoP: James Mather. Ed: Isabel Stephenson. Prod des: Padraig O'Neill. Mus: Stephen Rennicks, Hugh Drumm. Cast: Mark O'Halloran, Tom Murphy.
Contact: Jonny Speers, Porridge Pictures, (353) 1 662 1130, speers@speers.ie

ASYLUM
(Seven Arts Signature International [UK]). Backer: Section 481. Dist (US): Paramount Classics. Dark romance. A forensic psychiatrist's wife embarks on a passionate but doom-laden affair with a mad but charismatic artist. Exec prods: Woodfall Films, Peter Hoffman, Michael Barlow, Robert Rehme, Chris Curling. Prods: Mace Neufeld, Laurie Borg. Co-prod: David Collins. Dir: David Mackenzie. Scr: Patrick Marber. Prod des: Laurence Dorman. DoP: Giles Nuttgens. First AD: Peter Agnew. Costume des: Consolata Boyle. Sound: Brendan Deasy. Ed: Colin Monie. Make-up/hair: Aileen Seaton. Casting dir: Priscilla John. Cast: Natasha Richardson, Martin Csokas, Ian McKellen, Hugh Bonneville, Joss Ackland, Sean Harris, Judy Parfitt, Maria Aitken. Shot from Aug 18, 2003, for 9 weeks in Leeds and Dublin.
Contact: M+R, (44) 207 637 2600

BITE
(Fubar Films). Backers: Irish Film Board, RTE, Xtra-Vision. A chance encounter between Michelle and Conor, a woman on the run from a messy relationship and a man on the run from himself, leads to a strong attraction. He has to see her; she has to see him. The journey to that essential, fleeting unity begins again. Prod: Fiona Bergin. Dir: Fintan Connolly. Scr: Connolly, Catriona McGowan. DoP: Owen McPolin. Ed: Ray Roantree, Sarah Armstrong. Prod des: Steven Kingston, Laurent Mellet. Mus: Niall Byrne. Cast: Aidan Gillen, Renee Weldon, Mannix Flynn, Eamon Morrissey. Shot Summer 2004 in Dublin.
Contact: Fiona Bergin: Fubar Films (353) 1 476 3914, fionabergin@eircom.net.

DEAD MEAT
(Three Way Productions). Backers: Irish Film Board. Genre: Horror/Comedy. Prods: Edward King, Michael Griffin. Exec Prod: for the Irish Film Board: Brendan McCarthy. Dir/Scr/Ed: Conor McMahon. DoP: Andrew Legge. Sound: Fiadhnait McCann. Prodn Man/AD: Gareth Evans. Prod des: Cornelius Browne. Special Effects: Jay Graham. Make Up: Liz Byrne. Music: John Gilhooley. Cast, Marian Araujo, David Mauyllard, Eoin Whelan, David Ryan, Amy Redmond and Kathryn Toolan. Shot in County Leitrim: April 14-May 19 2003.
Contact: Edward King, Three Way Productions, (353) 86 889 8740.

ELLA ENCHANTED
(Jane Startz Productions [US]). Co-Prod: World 2000 (Irl). Backers: Miramax. Fantasy story about a young woman cursed with obedience. Budget: $35m approx. Prod: Jane Startz. Co Prods: Morgan O'Sullivan, James Flynn, David Parfitt. Exec Prod: Su Armstrong. Dir: Tommy O'Haver. Scr: Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith from the book by Gail Carson Levine. Cast: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Joanna Lumley. Shot at Ardmore Studios and on location in Ireland late 2002 to early 2003. Releases April 9 2004.
Contact: Trish Long, BVI Ireland, (353) 1 677 3484.

DERRICK THE MOVIE
(Magma Films). Co-Prod: NDF (Ger), ZDF Enterprise (Ger). Budget: Euros 6.35m. Backers: ZDF enterprise, FFA, FFF, FFHH (German Public Funding), Irish Film Board. Dist: PVA Media (Europe except Germany), UIP (Germany), ZDF Enterprise (ROW). Genre: Animated comedy feature - 80'. Exec Prods: Ralph Christians, Matthias Walther, Horst Mueller. Dir: Michael Schaack. Scr: Ralph Christians, Marteinn Thorisson, Juergen Wolff. Shot: Jan - Dec 2003. Cast: Horst Tappert and Fritz Wepper.
Contact: Ralph Christians, Magma Films, (353) 91 569 142

FREEZE FRAME (formerly Straight to Video)
(Parallel World Productions, Wildfire Films) Backers: Irish Film Board, Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, RTE, Universal. Dist: (UK) Universal. In this thriller, crime/drama, Sean Veil (Evans) is an ultra paranoid one-time murder suspect who has taken to filming himself round the clock to provide himself with a constant alibi. Then a tape goes missing. Prod: Michael Casey, Martha O'Neill. Dir/Wri: John Simpson. DoP: Mark Garrett. Prod des: Ashleigh Jeffers. Ed: Simon Thorne. Mus: Debbie Wiseman. Cast: Lee Evans, Sean McGinley, Ian McNeice, Colin Salmon, Rachael Stirling. Shot on location in Belfast in 2003.
Contact: Michael Casey, Parallel World, (44) 28 9057 3000, mike@caser.demon.co.uk

INSIDE I'M DANCING
(Octagon Films [Ire], WT2 [UK]) Backers: Irish Film Board, Section 481. Dist (int'l): Universal Pictures. The story of Michael, a twenty four year old who has cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run by the formidable Eileen. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in. Michael is stunned to discover that fast talking Rory, who can move only his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's dynamic and rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to a whole new world outside of Carrigmore. Together the two men outwit the system and set themselves up in a flat employing the beautiful Siobhan as their personal assistant, to cook, clean and take care of their needs. She soon becomes integral to the boys efforts at successful independent living and begins to realise that this responsibility brings as many complications as it does rewards. Exec prods: Morgan O'Sullivan, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Natascha Wharton. Prods: James Flynn, Juanita Wilson. Dir: Damien O'Donnell. Scr: Jeffrey Caine, based on a story by Christian O'Reilly. DoP: Peter Robertson. Ed: Fran Parker. Prod Des: Tom Conroy. Cast: Steven Robertson, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Brenda Fricker, Ruth McCabe. Shot in Dublin November/December 2003.
Contact: Catherine Tiernan, Octagon Films (353) 1 276 9522, Freud Communications, (44) 20 7291 6399

JONJO MICKYBO
(New Moon Pictures, WT2 [UK]) Backers: Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, the Irish Film Board, Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission. Dist (UK): Universal Pictures. In the summer of 1970, Belfast's lines of division were still being drawn. Two young boys from "up the road" and "over the bridge" escape the confines of a city overshadowed by hatred and fear by becoming their heroes, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Together they swear an oath to be blood brothers for life and flee an imploding city for the freedom of the Australian outback. Based on Owen McCafferty's award winning play, Mojo Mickybo. Exec prods: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Natascha Wharton, Stephen Daldry. Prods: Mark Huffam, Michael McGeagh. Dir/scr: Terry Loane. Cast: Julie Walters, Ciaran Hinds, Adrian Dunbar, Gina McKee, Susan Lynch, Niall Wright, John Jo McNeill. Shot from Oct 15, 2003, for eight weeks in Belfast and on location in Northern Ireland.
Contact: New Moon Pictures (44) 28 9067 3644

KING ARTHUR
(Jerry Bruckheimer Films [US]) Budget: $85m. Backer: Disney, Section 481. Int'l dist: Buena Vista/Touchstone. Exec prods: Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Ned Dowd, David Franzoni, Morgan O'Sullivan. Prod: Jerry Bruckheimer. Dir: Antoine Fuqua. Scr: Franzoni, John Lee Hancock. DoP: Slawomir Idziak. Ed: Conrad Buff. Prod des: Dan Weil. Costume des: Penny Rose. Hair/make-up: Ailbhe Lemass, Dee Corcoran. Main cast: Clive Owen, Stephen Dillane, Keira Knightley, Ray Winstone, Stellan Skarsgard. Shot from June 23, 2003, until Oct 28 in Ireland. Releases July 7 2004.
Contact: Trish Long, BVI Ireland, (353) 1 677 3484

LAWS OF ATTRACTION
(Deep River Production [Irl], Irish Dreamtime [Irl/US]). Backers: Stratus Films, Intermedia Film. Budget: $30m. Genre: Romantic Comedy. Two hotshot lawyers take opposite sides of a divorce case, fall in love and impulsively wed during the trial, only to experience their own marital difficulties. Exec Prods: Moritz Borman, Mark Gill, Mark Gordon, Basil Iwanyk, Arthur Lappin, Bob Yari. Prods: David T. Friendly, Marc Turtletaub, Beau St. Clair, Julie Durk. Dir: Peter Howitt. Scr: Robert Harling, Aline Brosh McKenna, Karey Kirkpatrick. Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Julianne Moore. Shot in Ireland and New York City, June 16 - August 22, 2003.
Contact: Irish Dreamtime, (1) 310 449 3411

MAN ABOUT DOG
(Treasure Entertainment) Budget £1.5m. Backers: Irish Film Board, VisionView, Future Film, Redbus Pictures, Section 481, S&L[UK]. Sales: Element X. Dist: Redbus Pictures (UK/Irl). A raucous comedy set in the world of greyhound racing. Three Belfast losers try to take on the bookies with no money and a greyhound that runs only when it suits him. Prods: Robert Walpole, Simon Channing Williams. Dir: Paddy Breathnach. Wri: Pearse Elliott. DoP: Cian de Buitlear. Ed: Dermot Diskin. Prod des: Paki Smith. Cast: Allen Leech, Tom Jordan Murphy, Ciaran Nolan, Sean McGinley, Fionnula Flanagan, Pat Shortt. Shot November 2003 on High Definition in Dublin, Kildare, and Belfast.
Contact: Rob Walpole, Treasure Entertainment, (353) 1 670 9609. Sales agent, Element X, (44) 20 7317 1440

OMAGH
(Hells Kitchen International [Irl], Tiger Aspect [UK]) Backers: Channel 4, Irish Film Board, RTE, Section 481. The Omagh bomb of August 1998 killed 29 innocent people and is remembered as the single worst terrorist atrocity in Northern Irish history. The film follows the story of Michael and Patsy Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed, as they deal with the aftermath and struggle to bring the culprits to justice. Prod: Ed Guiney. Dir: Pete Travis. Wri: Guy Hibbert, Paul Greengrass. DoP: Donal Gilligan, Prod des: David Wilson. Cast: Gerard McSorley. Shot in Dublin and Navan in Dec 2003 and January 2004.
Contact Hells Kitchen International: (353) 1 679 5065, info@hellskitcheninternational.com

STARFISH
(New Starfish Enterprise) Backers: Irish Film Board, Filmbase. A contemporary story about three misfits who take a road trip to Cork while simultaneously embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Dir/Wri: Stephen Kane. Prod: Victoria Parks. DoP: Christel Chaudet. Ed: Kevin Lavelle. Prod des: Martina Greaney. Mus: Steve Dima. Cast: Ailish Symons, Mark Huberman, Pat McGrath. Shot on DV in 2003 in Wicklow and Dublin
Contact: Vicki Parks, (353) 1 679 6716, vicki.parks@filmbase.ie

TRISTAN & ISOLDE
(Octagon Films [Irl], Scott Free Productions [UK]) Period drama. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Irish King Donnchadh (David O'Hara) brutally subjugates tribal England. There, young orphaned Tristan (James Franco) is raised by family ally Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell). As a young man, the charismatic Tristan leads guerilla attacks on Irish occupying forces, ultimately defeating King Donnchadh's elite warriors. Believing himself to be mortally wounded, Tristan requests a funeral boat that eventually washes up on the Irish coast. Discovered by Irish Princess Isolde (Sophia Myles), the two fall passionately in love. All too soon Tristan must flee back to the safety of England. Meanwhile, King Donnchadh invites the English lords to contest for Isolde's hand, hoping to cause further discord among the bickering English barons. Unaware of Isolde's identity, Tristan fights in the tournament as Marke's champion. Tristan is victorious but is devastated to learn Isolde's true identity. Lord Marke weds Isolde and prepares to become King of the now united England, ruining Donnchadh's plan. Despite their best efforts to stay apart, Tristan and Isolde eventually resume their affair. When King Donnchadh arrives in England for Marke's coronation, he deviously unmasks the affair causing an English rebellion. Lord Marke forgives Tristan and Isolde as they defend Castle Dor from Irish troops. Tristan leads a battle against the Irish but is fatally wounded. As Lord Marke leads the reunited English troops to drive out the Irish, Tristan dies peacefully in Isolde's arms. Exec prods: Ridley Scott, Tony Scott, Jim Lemley, Frank Hubner. Prods: Lisa Ellzey, Giannina Facio, Moshe Diamant, Elie Samaha. Co-prods: Anne Lai, Jan Fantl. Dir: Kevin Reynolds. Scr: Dean Georgaris. DoP: Arthur Reinhart. Ed: Peter Boyle. Prod des: Mark Geraghty. Art dir: Jan Svoboda (Czech), David Wilson (Ireland). Costume des: Maurizio Millennotti. SFX supervisor: Pavel Sagner. Cast: James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, David O'Hara, Dexter Fletcher, Bronagh Gallagher, Mark Strong. Shot from Sept 3, 2003, until Dec 6 in Ireland and Prague.
Contact: Catherine Tiernan, Octagon Films (353) 1 276 9522

UGLY DUCKLING AND ME
(Magma Films) Co-Prod: A-Film (Den), Dygra Films (Sp), Futurikon (Fr). Budget: Euros 8m. Backers: Danish Film Institute. Genre: Feature Animation, CGI - 80'. Exec Prods: Ralph Christians, Anders Mastrup. Dir: Karsten Killerich (A-Film). Scr: Mark Hodkinson.
Contact: Daina Sacco, Magma Films, (353) 91 569 142