UK Production Update - July 26

THE DARK
((Impact Pictures, Constantin Film) Backers: Constantin Film, the UK Film Council. Int'l sales: Constantin Film, Summit Entertainment. A gripping supernatural chiller about a series of mysterious occurrences that befall a young family who move to a remote Welsh farm, only to discover the house has a dark and bloody past that is manifesting itself firmly in the present. Based on the novel The Sheep by Simon Maginn. Exec prod: Robert Kulzer. Prod: Jeremy Bolt. Co-prod: Robert How. Dir: John Fawcett. Scr: Paul Tamasy, Stephen Massicotte. DoP: Christian Sebaldt. Prod des: Eve Stewart. First AD: Mark Egerton. Casting director (UK): Suzanne Smith. Costume des: Ffion Elinor. Make-up: Sarah Monzani. Sound recordist: John Rodda. Ed: Chris Gill. Cast: Maria Bello, Sean Bean, Sophie Stuckey, Abigail Stone, Maurice Roeves, Ricard Elwyn, Caspar Harvey. Shooting from Monday 21 June, 2004, at Ealing Studios, London, and on location on the Isle of Man.
Contact Rob Deacon / Lawrence Atkinson / Emma Robinson, Premier PR, (44) 20 7292 8350 / 8355

BOY EATS GIRL
(Element Films [Ire], Lunar Films) Backers: Irish Film Board, Isle Of Man Film Commission. Int'l sales: Odyssey Entertainment. Teen comedy horror. Boy Eats Girl is the story of a teenage date that goes horrifically wrong, bringing bloody mayhem to suburbia. Exec prods: Ralph Kamp, Louise Goodsill, Steve Christian. Prods: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe. Dir: Stephen Bradley. Scr: Derek Landy. Co-prods: Eoin Holmes, Matthew Justice. Line prod: Noelette Buckley. Assoc prod: Alan Maher. DoP: Balazs Bolygo. Eds: Dermot Diskin, Ben Yeates. Prod designer: Anna Rackard. Costume designer: Susan Scott. Cast: Samantha Mumba, David Leon, Deirdre O'Kane, Bryan Murray, Laurence Kinlan, Sara James. Shooting from 26 July until 13 August in Dublin and 16 August until To 4 September In The Isle Of Man .
Contact Rob Deacon / Lawrence Atkinson / Emma Robinson, Premier PR, (44) 20 7292 8350 / 8355

OLIVER TWIST
(R.P. Films [Fr], Runteam II, [UK], Etic Films [Czech Republic]) Int'l sales: Summit International.Dist: Columbia-TriStar (North and South America), Toshiba (Japan), Tobis (Germany), Medusa (Italy), Pathe (UK, France, Benelux). Producers: Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde, Roman Polanski. UK co-prod: Timothy Burrill. CZ co-producer: Petr Moravec. Dir: Roman Polanski. Scr: Ronald Harwood. Line prods: Michael Schwarz, Daniel Champagnon. Prod co-ords: Gabriela Bohmova (CZ), Jacqueline Edwards (UK). DoP: Pawel Edelman. Prod des: Allan Starski. Costume des: Anna Sheppard. Ed: Herve De Luze. Assistant director: Ralph Remstedt. Casting dir (UK): Celestia Fox. Casting director (Cz): Nancy Bishop. Cast: Barney Clark, Jamie Foreman, Harry Eden, Sir Ben Kingsley, Leanne Rowe, Lewis Chase, Edward Hardwicke, Jeremy Swift. Shooting from July 12 at the Barrandov Studio in Prague for 14 weeks.
Contact: geoff.freeman@virgin.net

WOODY ALLEN SUMMER PROJECT 2004 (Provisional Title)

(Jada Productions Ltd [UK]) Backers: BBC Films, Thema, Invicta, The Bank Of Ireland. Int'l sales: Hanway Films. Exec prod: Stephen Tenenbaum. Prods: Letty Aronson, Lucy Darwin, Gareth Wiley. Co-prods: Helen Robin, Nicky Kentish Barnes.Dir/scr: Woody Allen. Prod supervisor: Tori Parry. DoP: Remi Adefarasin. Casting dir: Gail Stevens (London), Juliet Taylor (New York). Production designer: Jim Clay. Costume des: Jill Taylor. First AD: Chris Newman. Art dir: Dian Dancklefsen. Location manager: Sue Quinn, Michael Harm. Sound mixer: Peter Glossop. Make-up/hair: Sallie Jaye. Ed: Alisa Lepselter. Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emily Mortimer, James Nesbitt, Brian Cox, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton, Rupert Penry-Jones, Ewen Bremner. Shooting from July 12 in the UK.

Contact: Darwin & Associates, wasp2004.pr@virgin.net

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

(Working Title Films) Backer: Universal. Exec prods: Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin. Prod: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster. Co-prod: Jane Frazer. Dir: Joe Wright. Scr: Deborah Moggach. Faithful to the setting and period of the original novel, set in class-conscious England at the end of the 18th century, Pride and Prejudice follows the adventures of the five Bennet sisters--including the strong-willed eldest Lizzie (Keira Knightley) and the youngest Lydia (Jena Malone)'and their attempts to find husbands. When a wealthy, new bachelor and his circle of sophisticated friends take up summer residence in a nearby mansion, the Bennets are abuzz with hope that potential suitors will be in full supply. But once Lizzie meets up with the darkly handsome and snobbish Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), what seemed at first like a match made in heaven quickly becomes one of the most classic battles of the sexes ever portrayed in literature. Cast: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Tom Hollander, Penelope Wilton, Judi Dench. Shooting entirely on location around England from 19 July until 1 Oct, 2004.

Contact: Linda Gamble, unit publicist, (44) 7768 082201/Lindagamble@compuserve.com

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
(Warner Bros. Productions Ltd) Dist (worldwide): Warner Bros. Pictures. Fantasy, adventure, family film. Eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka launches a worldwide contest to select an heir to his candy empire. Five lucky children draw golden tickets from Wonka chocolate bars and win a guided tour of the legendary candy-making facility that no outsider has seen in 15 years. Charlie Bucket, a good-hearted boy from a very poor family is one of lucky winners and is drawn into Wonka's fantastic world. Exec prods: Liccy Dahl, Patrick McCormick, Michael Siegel, Bruce Berman. Prods: Brad Grey, Richard D. Zanuck. Dir: Tim Burton. Scr: John August. Co-prod/first AD: Katterli Frauenfelder. Unit production manager: Nikolas Korda. Assoc prods: Brenda Berrisford, Derek Frey. Composer: Danny Elfman. Production designer: Alex McDowell. Set decorator: Peter Young. DoP:Philippe Rousselot. Casting director:Susie Figgis. Costume des: Gabriella Pescucci. Ed: Chris Lebenzon. Make up/hair designer: Peter Owen. Production sound mixer: Tony Dawe. SFX supervisor: Joss Williams. VFX supervisor: Nick Davis. Production co-ord: Hermione Ninnim. Cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Christopher Lee. Shooting from 21 June until 17 November, 2004, at Pinewood Studios.
Contact number: Sarah Clark, unit publicist, (44) 1753 656 688

TAKE 3 GIRLS
(INSPIRED MOVIES [UK/India]) Budget: low-medium. Rags to riches feelgood. Three street wise tough-talking girl musicians find an unlikely backer in a bankrupt Asian businessman. Exec producer: Peter Ansorge. Prods: Meenu Bachan, Vibha Bhatnager Dir: Baz Taylor. Scr: Farrukh Dhondy. DoP: Uday Tiwari. Prod designer: Peter Joyce. Costumes: Katharina Flohr. Music director: Roddy Matthews. Casting: Carrie Hilton. Cast: Charlie Brooks, Caroline Chikezie, Karen David, Kabir Bedi, Soni Razdan, Ramon Tikaram, Chri Simpson, Christopher Adlington,Roysten Gooden, Johnny Palmeiro, Dominic Cazenove. Shooting from June 7 until July 5, 2004, on location in London.
Contact: Beth Worth, unit publicist, (44) 7957 364 262/ (44) 207 603 6929

TICKETS
(Fandango [It], Sixteen Films [UK]) Budget: £2.5m. Backers: Fandango Films, The UK Film Council. Int'l sales: The Works. Dist: Fandango (It) Artificial Eye (UK). Drama. A train travels through Europe to Rome. We meet an aging pharmacist who has just fallen in love for maybe the last time; a puffed-up self-important senora whose demands prove too much for her personal assistant and three Celtic fans who need to get to Rome for the big match and some mischief. Their paths are crossed by members of an Albanian refugee family whose needs are greater than any of their travelling companions' Prod: Carlo Cresto Dina, Domenico Procacci, Babak Karimi, Rebecca O'Brien. Dir: Ermanno Olmi, Abbas Kiarostami, Ken Loach. Scr: Olmi, Kiarostami, Paul Laverty. DoP: Fabbio Olmi (Olmi), Mahmoud Karimi (Kiarostami), Chris Menges ( Loach). Ed: Paolo Cottignola (Olmi), Babak Karimi (Kiarostami), Jonathan Morris (Loach). Prod des: Alessandro Vannucu. Costume des: Maurizio Basile. Hair: Mary Mancuso (Olmi) Adriana La Macchia (Kiarostami, Loach). Make-up: Susanna Gastaldi (Olmi) Fernanda Perez (Kiarostami, Loach). Line prod: Valeria Licurgo. Cast: Carlo Delle Piane, Silvana De Santis, Martin Compston, William Ruane, Gary Maitland. Shooting from 4th June until 9th July in Italy.
Contact: The Works, (44) 207 612 1080

ON A CLEAR DAY
(Icon Entertainment International) Backers: the Take Film Partnerships, Isle of Man Film Limited, Glasgow Film Finance Ltd, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, Scottish Screen, Icon.Dist (UK/Aus): Icon Film Distribution. Int'l sales: Icon Entertainment International. An inspiring story of a man's fight to regain his dignity. Frank (Mullan) is a hard-working 55 year-old, respected in his local community, who suddenly finds himself without a job. For the first time in his life, Frank is without direction. When his friend Danny (Boyd) jokes that on a clear day he could swim to France, an idea is planted in his mind. Concealing his plans from his loving wife Joan (Blethyn) Frank determines to put his life back together by attempting the ultimate test of endurance - to swim the English Channel. Prods: Sarah Curtis, Dorothy Berwin. Dir: Gaby Dellal. Scr: Alex Rose. Cast: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Jamie Sives , Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley, Ron Cook, Jodhi May, Benedict Wong. Shooting on locations in and around Glasgow and the Isle of Man.
Contact: Matthew Sanders/Sue Watkins, M+R, (44) 20 7637 2600

THE CONSTANT GARDENER
(Potboiler Productions) Backers: Focus Features, Scion Films. Int'l sales: Focus Features. Dist (US): Focus Features. Thriller. When activist Tessa Quayle is found brutally murdered at a remote location in Northern Kenya, her husband's colleagues at the British High Commission in Nairobi assume that mild-mannered, Justin Quayle will leave the matter in their hands. But Quayle surprises everyone by embarking on a personal odyssey in search of the truth. Prods: Simon Channing Williams. Dir: Fernando Meirelles. Scr: Jeffrey Caine. Co-prods: Tracey Seaward. Exec prods: Don Ranvaud, Gail Egan, Julia Blackman, Jeff Abberley. Script exec: Sarah Golding. Casting: Leo Davis. Prod des: Mark Tildesley. DoP: Cesar Charlone. Costume des: Odile Dicks Mireaux. Make-up des: Christine Blundell. Supervising production accountant: Will Tyler. First AD: Richard Styles. Sound mixer: Stuart Wilson. Ed: Chris Gill. Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Archie Panjabi, Donald Sumpter, Hubert Kounde, Pernilla August, Gerard McSorley. Shooting from 10 May until 29 July, 2004, on location in the UK, Germany, Canada and Kenya.
Contact: Jonathan Rutter/Liz Miller, McDonald and Rutter, (44) 207 637 2600

THE MIGHTY CELT
(Treasure Entertainment) A gutsy story of a 14-year-old boy and his greyhound. Backers: BBC Films, Irish Film Board, Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, TV3. Int'l sales: The Works. Prods: Robert Walpole, Paddy McDonald, Paddy Breathnach. Dir/scr: Pearse Elliott. DoP: Seamus Deasy. First AD: Andrew Hegarty. Cast: Robert Carlyle, Gillian Anderson, Ken Stott, Tyrone McKenna, Sean McGinley. Shooting from May 17, 2004, for six weeks around Belfast.
Contact : Carol McCullough, (44) 7836 613363/ Charles McDonald, M+R (44) 20 7637 2600

GUY X
(Film and Music Entertainment, Spice Factory) Dist: Scanbox (Scand), Tartan Films (UK), Seville (Can) and Greenlight (Ice). A black comedy set in a secret Arctic military base in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Exec prods: Stephen Daldry, Chris Auty, Neil Peplow James Simpson, Peter James. Prods: Mike Downey, Sam Taylor, Michael Cowan, Jason Piette, Simpson. Co-prods: Allan Joli-Coeur (Can), Anna Maria Karlsdottir & Fridrik Thor Fridriksson (Ice). Assoc prods: Sam Lavender, Zorana Piggott, Alex Marshall. Dir: Saul Metzstein. Scr: Steve Attridge, John Paul Chapple. DoP: Francois Dagenais. Ed: Anne Sopel. Prod des: Mike Gunn. Costume des: Stewart Meachem. Hair/make-up: Annick Chartier. Cast: Jason Biggs, Natascha McElhone, Jeremy Northam, Michael Ironside. Shooting from April 26, 2004 until 12 June on location in Iceland and in Canada.
Contact: Sue Watkins/Charles McDonald, M+R: (44) 207 637 2600/ Anna Maria Karlsdottir (Iceland): (354) 551 2260/ Allan Joli Coeur (Canada): (1) 514 484 3539

THE HUNT FEAST
(Reguard [Syria], Hannaywood Studios) Budget: $3.5m. Backers: Reguard, Hannaywood Studios. Contemporary thriller. The Hunt Feast charts the final months of a once high-ranking officer of the fallen Iraqi regime, culminating in his own downfall at the hands of the least likely of sources. Having detached himself from the fallen regime with several million American dollars earmarked for a campaign of insurgency, Majid lies low in the mountains of Lebanon. In his attempt to evade the wrath of Col. Jabber and his heavies who want 'their' money back, Majid embarks on a series of cloak and dagger missions whilst planning his ultimate escape from Beirut to the West. However, he drops his guard when a seemingly hapless group of tourists descend upon his peaceful mountain retreat, and Samia's charms distort his judgement. His past ultimately catches up with him when Samia's autistic son shoots Majid - the man who under a ruthless regime murdered the boy's father. Exec prods: Zuher Harba, Das Abra. Prod: Marwan Akkawi. Dir: Nabil Maleh. Scr: Nabil Maleh, Alexander Robertson. DoP: Simon Dennis. Hair/make-up: Polly Duncan. Cast: Simon Dutton, Laila Rouass, Andy Lucas. Shooting from April 12 until May 22 in Syria and Lebanon.
Contact: Ian Rattray, Ian Rattray Films, (44) 20 8296 0555/(44) 7970 842 387/ ianrattray@blueyonder.co.uk

THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE
(Piccadilly Pictures, Lex Filmed Entertainment) Backers: Piccadilly Pictures, Baker Street, Take Partnerships, the Bank of Ireland, Impact Films, the UK Film Council's New Cinema Fund. Dist (UK): Redbus Film Distribution. Int'l sales: Lakeshore Entertainment. A romantic comedy in which not everyone or everything is as it first appears. Exec prods: Jeremy Bolt, Ivan Mactaggart, Bill Allan. Prod: Tracey Adam. Co-prod: Christopher Figg. Dir: John Hay. Scr: Peter Bloore, William Johnston. Line prod: Richard Johns. DoP: Graham Frake. Ed: David Martin. Production des: Simon Waters. Sound mixer: Graham Ross. Costume des:Mary Jane Reyner. Chief hair & make-up: Roseann Samuels. Cast: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Dougray Scott, Jimi Mistry, Branka Katic, Simon Webbe. Shooting from 11 April, 2004, for six weeks in Bristol and the south west of England
Contact: Jessica Kirsch, CK Publicity, (44) 20 7935 3337

NANNY McPHEE
(Working Title Films) Backer: Universal Pictures. Dist: UIP (worldwide). Family comedy. Exec prods: Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin. Co-prod: Glynis Murray. Prods: Lindsay Doran, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner. Dir: Kirk Jones. Scr: Emma Thompson. Line prod: David Brown. DoP: Henry Braham. Ed: Justin Krish. Prod des: Michael Howells. Costume des: Nic Ede. Hair/make-up: Peter King. Sound mixer: Simon Hayes. Cast: Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Angela Lansbury, Kelly Macdonald, Thomas Sangster. Shooting from 1 April, 2004, until 9 July in the UK.
Contact: Kate Luczyc- Wyhowska, Universal Pictures Int'l, (44) 20 7307 1364/ Stacy Mann, unit publicist, (44) 7768 966 122

SPOON
((Zephyr Films, Lemming Films, Egoli Tossell) Children's drama. Prods: Joost de Vries, Phil Robertson, Oliver Damian. Dir: Willem van de Sande Bakhuyzen. Shooting from March 2004.
Contact: Zephyr Films, (44) 207 255 3555

THE YANK (aka HOOLIGANS)
(Baker Street, Odd Lot Entertainment [US]) Budget: $5.5m. Int'l sales: Senator International. After being expelled unfairly from Harvard just short of his graduation, American Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) travels to England to take refuge with his married sister (Claire Forlani). Buckner quickly falls in love with the game of soccer and in particular, West Ham United. He's introduced to the sport through his brother-in-law, Pete Dunham (Charlie Hunnam), and Pete's close group of friends. Buckner witnesses the rivalries that exist between English soccer clubs and is enlightened to the passion, loyalty and friendship that can be found within a tight-knit group of British males. Exec prods: Bill Allen, Lexi Alexander. Prods: Gigi Pritzker, Deborah Del Prete, Donald Zuckerman. Dir: Lexi Alexander. Scr: Josh Shelov, Dougie Brimson, Lexi Alexander. DoP: Alex Buono. Des: Tom Brown. Costume des: John Krausa. Hair/make-up des: Lesley Lamont-Fisher. Ed: Paul Trejo. Stunt co-ord: Pat Johnson. 2nd unit dir: Matt Jensen. Line prod: Kevan Van Thompson. Prod man: Ingrid Litman. Sound mixer: Les Honess. Cast: Elijah Wood, Charlie Hunnam, Claire Forlani, Marc Warren, Leo Gregory, Henry Goodman, Geoff Bell, Rafe Spall, Kieran Bew, Ross McCall, Francis Pope, Christopher Hehir. Shooting until May 1, 2004.
Contact: Ceris Price, unit publicist (44) 7879 638 557

ULTRAVIOLET
(ULTRAVI Productions, Screen Gems) Dist (int'l): Columbia Pictures Int'l. Action/horror. Believed to be a myth, something only to be found in horror films, people soon discover that vampires do indeed live among humans. However, these blood-thirsty creatures are not the infallible undead from folklore but living beings with one significant trait that sets them apart from others - infected blood that speeds up their metabolism. With an increased bone density, these Vampires have the ability to move a thousand times faster and be hundred times stronger. To the government's dismay, more of the population is becoming hemophages (vampires), and they have set out to rid the world of what they deem as a menace to society. One rogue vampire is bent on protecting her race - and seeking revenge on those that changed her life forever. With fierce fighting skills and the ability to change and project her image, Violet (Milla Jovovich) sets out to destroy a government-designed time bomb that will kill all hemophages. To Violet's surprise, the deadly device is a nine-year-old boy, who goes by the name Six (Cameron Bright) and was raised in a laboratory. Determined to save the child, Violet wages her own personal war against the other vampires who want the boy dead and the special security forces who need him alive. Drawing upon every power given to her by the virus, she becomes a one-person army, blazing her way through vicious attacks and taking no prisoners. However, Violet soon discovers that Six was created for a larger and much deadlier purpose - a secret government conspiracy that threatens to not only exterminate Violet and her people but all of mankind. Executive prods: Tony Mark, Charles Wang, Sue Jett. Prod: John Baldecchi. Dir/scr: Kurt Wimmer. DoP: Arthur Wong. Ed: Willliam Yeh. Prod des: James Choo. Supervising art dir: Bernardo Trujillo. Costume des: Joseph Porro. Casting dir: Kim Davis, Justine Baddeley, Madalena Chan. Stunt co-ord: Mike Smith. Cast: Milla Jovovich, William Fichtner, Cameron Bright, Nick Chinlund, Sebastien Andrieu. Shooting from Feb 9, 2004, until June 16 in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Contact: Moira Houlihan, unit publicist: (852) 918 003 98 (Hong Kong cell); 44 7770 363 753 (UK cell); 852 2337 1969(Production office); (862) 156 659 090 (Shanghai production office)

LASSIE
(Firstsight Films) Int'l sales: Classic Media. Dist (UK): Entertainment Film Distributors. Live action based on Eric Knight's best-selling 1938 novel Lassie Come Home. Exec prods: Douglas Schwalbe, Eric Ellenbogen. Prods: Francesca Barra, Selwyn Roberts. Dir/scr: Charles Sturridge. Shooting from September in the UK.
Contact: Classic Media, (1) 212 659 3011

IN PRODUCTION

THE LIBERTINE
(Mr Mudd [US]) Backer: Isle of Man Film, UK Film Council's Premiere Fund. Int'l sales: Odyssey Entertainment. Dist: Roadshow Film Distribution (Aus, New Zealand). The story of the Earl of Rochester. Set in the 17th century. Exec prods: Ralph Kamp, Louise Goodsill. Prods: Russell Smith, Lianne Halfon, John Malcovich. Dir: Laurence Dunmore. Scr: Stephen Jeffreys, adapted from his own play. Cast: Johnny Depp, John Malkovich, Samantha Morton. Shooting from the end of February, 2003, in the UK.
Contact: Odyssey Entertainment, (44) 207 153 3596

THE RIVER KING
(Myriad Pictures [US], Kismet Film Company, Spice Factory, imX Communications [Can]) Backers: Myriad Pictures, Movision, Spice Factory. Supernatural murder mystery about a small town cop who smells foul play while investigating a supposed suicide at an elite prep school. Exec prods: Kirk D'Amico, Joshua Andrews, Peter James, James Simpson. Prods: Michele Camarda, Michael Lionello Cowan, Jason Piette, Chris Zimmer, Marion Pilowsky. Dir: Nick Willing. Scr: David Kane, adapted from from Alice Hoffman's best-selling novel. Cast: Edward Burns, Jennifer Ehle. Shooting in Canada from March, 2004.
Contact: Myriad Pictures, (1) 310 279 4000

BATMAN BEGINS
((Warner Bros) Explores the superhero's origins as a New York vigilante. Exec prod: Ben Melniker, Michael Uslan. Prod: Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Larry Franco. Dir: Christopher Nolan. Scr: Nolan, David Goyer. Unit prod man: Nigel Gostelow. Cast: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe. Shooting in Iceland, London and Chicago.
Contact: Shepperton Studios, (44) 1932 562 611

CLOSER
(Icarus, Avenue Pictures, Columbia Pictures) Int'l sales: Sony Pictures Entertainment. Adaptation of the award winning play by Patrick Marber. Exec prods: Celia Costas, Scott Rudin, Robert Fox, Duncan Reid. Prods: John Calley, Cary Brokaw. Dir: Mike Nichols. Scr: Patrick Marber. Co-prod/first AD: Mike Haley. Assoc prod/script supervisor: Mary Bailey. DoP: Stephen Goldblatt. UPM: Rachel Neale. Prod co-ord: Francesca Castellano. Prod des: Tim Hatley. Costume des: Ann Roth. Make-up/hair: Linda de Vetta. Editor: John Bloom. Sound mixer: Ivan Sharrock. Cast: Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen. Shooting from Jan 19, 2004, on location for nine weeks in London and at Elstree Studios.
Contact: Elstree Studios, (44) 324 2221

SAHARA
(Crusader Entertainment, jk livin, KanZaman, Massarde) Dist (US): Paramount Pictures. Dist (int'l): Paramount, Crusader Entertainment, LLC. Int'l sales: IS Film. Co-prods: Moguletta, LLC, Babelsberg Film, KanZaman, Massarde Productions. Action/adventure. Exec prods: Clive Cussler, Matthew McConaughey, Gus Gustawes, William J Immerman. Prods: Howard Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, Mace Neufeld, Stephanie Austin. Co-prod: Vicki Dee Rock, Denise O'Dell, Mark Albela, Henning Molfenter, Thierry Potok, David Barron. Dir: Breck Eisner. UPM: Scott Thaler. UK line prod: Chris Thompson. Unit prod man: Frederic Bovis (Mor), Anna Cassini (Spain). Scr: James V Hart, Thomas Dean Donnelly, Josh Oppenheimer, Josh Friedman, David Ward, John Richards, Mark Skeet, Matthew Faulk, based on the novel by Clive Cussler. Prod des: Allan Cameron. Art dirs: Giles Masters, Tony Reading. Set dec: Anna Pinnock. DoP: Seamus McGarvey. Cam op: Peter Robertson. Ads: Chris Newman, Ahmed Hatimi (Mor). Loc man: Thierry Zemmour (Mor), Bill Barringer (UK), Jose Maria Gonzalez Sinde (Sp). Casting dir: Anne McCarthy, Nina Gold. Costume des: Anna Sheppard. Ed: Andrew MacRitchie. Sound: Chris Munro. Stunts: Lee Sheward. Aerial: Marc Wolff. Marine: Launce Julian. Armourer: Joss Skottowe. SFX: Dominic Tuohy. 2nd unit dir: EJ Foerster. 2nd unit cam: Harvey Harrison. Main cast: Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, Penelope Cruz. Shooting from Nov 3, 2003 on location in the UK, Morocco and Spain and at Shepperton Studios.
Contact: Shepperton Studios, (44) 1932 562 611

ZEMANOVALOAD
(ZEMA PRODUCTIONS) Budget: Low. Backers: private investment. Romantic comedy. Zemanovaload follows the life of oddball John Davies. He writes jokes for a living - but his own life is a joke. He suffers from compulsive obsessive disorders: he won't get on a plane; he won't drive; he has 248 pairs of trainers; he counts everything; he cleans everywhere whether it's dirty or not; he has to lock doors time and time again; he talks to his fingers. And he will not go out with any woman who isn't a model. When his current model girlfriend leaves him, he becomes obsessed with finding the most beautiful woman in the world to replace her. His internet search tells him that the world's #1 babe, right now, is Czech supermodel Veronika Zemanova. The movie tracks his life over the course of one month as he battles to overcome his old obsessions in order to meet his latest obsession - Veronika. Exec prod: Tony Ford. Prod/dir/scr: Jayson Rothwell. DoP: Paul Lilley. Ed: Mark Wharton. prod des: Anthea Nelson. Costume des: Sarah Tapscott. Hair/make-up: Louise Meadows. Cast: Ed Byrne, Justin Moorehouse, Ralf Little, Cressida Whyte, Andy Nyman, Alan McKenna, Kathryn Drysdale, Amanda Mealing, Stacey Winfield. Shooting from Jan 12, 2003, until Jan 31 in the UK.
Contact: Jayson Rothwell, (44) 7909 683 267

FATED
(Ace Film, Northern film) Urban fairy tale. A statue comes alive and chaos ensues. Set in the heart of Liverpool night life, a story about love, and an unobtainable kiss. Exec prods: Harry Fogg, Abi Franz. Prod: Joe Scott. Dir: Lesley Manning. Scr: Nicola Scott. DoP: Rory Taylor. Prod des: Humphrey Jaeger. Ed: Chris Swanson. Composer: Andy Stevenson. Hair/make-up: Sjaan Gillings. Cast: Brendan Makay, Katrine de Canole, Michael Angelis, Lee Boardman, Craig Charles, Kate Robbins, Nicola Scott. Shooting Feb until April 5, 2003.
Contact: Ace Film, (44) 151 706 0135

CHERI
(Bill Kenwright Films) Period romance set in the world of the courtesans. Prods: Bill Kenwright, Su Lim. Dir: Christopher Hampton. Scr: Christopher Hampton, adapted from the novel by Colette. Cast: Jessica Lange. Shooting Summer 2004
Contact: Bill Kenwright Films, (44) 20 7446 6200

MAYBE TOMORROW (working title)
(Bill Kenwright Films) Rock and roll film set in 1950's Liverpool about singer Billy Fury. Prods: Bill Kenwright, Su Lim. Dir: Nick Mead. Scr: Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais.
Contact: Bill Kenwright Films, (44) 20 7446 6200

IN POST-PRODUCTION:

PURIFIERS
(Bill Kenwright Films) Martial arts gang movie. Prods: Bill Kenwright, Chris Atkins, Richard Jobson. Dir/scr: Richard Jobson. Cast: Kevin McKidd, Dominic Monaghan.
Contact: Bill Kenwright Films, (44) 20 7446 6200

A GOOD WOMAN
(Meltemi Entertainment [UK], International Arts Entertainment [US], Lighthouse Entertainment [US], Buskin Film [It], KanZaman [Sp]) Backers: Thema Productions [Lux], Magic Hour Film Finance [UK], Matrix Film Finance [UK]. Romantic comedy. Adapted from the Oscar Wilde play Lady Windermere's Fan, A Good Woman is a scandalous yet comic story set in New York and the Amalfi Coast during the 1930s. Exec prods: John Evangelides, Mikael Borglund, Hilary Davis, Jimmy DeBrabant, Michael Dounaev, Liam Badger, Duncan Hopper, Rupert Preston. Prods: Alan Greenspan, Jonathan English, Steven Siebert, Howard Himelstein. Dir: Mike Barker. Scr: Howard Himelstein. Ed: Neil Farrell. DoP: Ben Seresin. Prod des: Ben Scott. Costume des: John Bloomfield. Cast: Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson. Shooting from Nov 3, 2003, on the Amalfi Coast and Rome, Italy
Contact: Beyond Films, (44) 20 7636 9613

THE OYSTER FARMER
(Anthony Buckley Films, Oyster Farmer Films) Backers: Film Finance Corporation, Showtime, Ocean/Dendy, Beyond Films, Little Wing Films, Future Film Group, New South Wales Film & Television Office. Contemporary romantic western set in frontier Australia. Moving from Sydney to an isolated river community to work for impoverished eighth generation oyster farmers may not be an obvious career move. If, however, you are a desperate young man with an enterprising streak and a big heart then the Hawkesbury may well be your salvation. This is a love story about an inept thief who ends up a local hero. Prods: Anthony Buckley, Piers Tempest. Dir/scr: Anna Reeves. Ed: Peter Beston. DoP: Alun Bollinger. Sound: Chris Alderton. Cast: Alex O'Lachlan, Jim Norton, Diana Glenn, Jack Thompson, David Field, Kerry Armstrong. Shooting from 10 Nov, 2003, for six weeks in Hawkesbury River Valley, Australia.
Contact: Beyond Films, (44) 20 7636 9613

BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON
(Working Title Films) Backer: Universal Studios (US). Dist: Universal Pictures (int'l), Miramax Films (US). Genre: Romantic comedy based on Helen Fielding's book of the same name. Exec prods: Debra Hayward, Liza Chasin. Prods: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jonathan Cavendish. Dir: Beeban Kidron. Scr: Andrew Davies, Helen Fielding, Adam Brooks, Richard Curtis. Line prod: Bernie Bellew. DoP: Adrian Biddle. Ed: Greg Hayden. Prod des: Gemma Jackson. Costume des: Jany Temime. Hair/make-up: Graham Johnston. Sound mixer: Simon Hayes. Cast: Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Jacinda Barrett, Shirley Henderson, Sally Phillips, James Callis, Jessica Stephenson, Celia Imrie, Neil Pearson. Shooting from Oct 12, 2003, until Feb 1, 2004, in the UK, Thailand and Austria.
Contact: Stacy Mann, unit publicist, (44) 7768 966 122

COLD&DARK
(Cold Films) Backers: Paradigm Hyde Films, Future Film Group, the South West Film Studios. Int'l sales: Beyond Films. Supernatural horror. Detective Sergeant John Dark is a good cop, working the tough beat of vice. His long-time mentor is the charismatic Detective Chief Inspector Mortimer Shade. He has taught Dark every trick in the book. But sometimes the fight is not just against the bad guys; sometimes it is against their own, when police bureaucracy gets in the way of good coppers bending the rules. Exec prod: Michael Gebauer. Prod/scr: Joanne Reay. Dir: Andrew Goth. Cast: Luke Goss, Kevin Howarth, Carly Turnbull, Matt Lucas, David Gant. Shooting from Nov 18, 2003, for five weeks at the South West Film Studios, and on location in Cornwall.
Contact: Julie Bailey, unit publicist, (44) 7702 266113/ Kate Hughes, marketing director, South West Film Studios, (44) 1872 554131

INSIDE I'M DANCING
(WT2, Octagon Films [Ire]) Backer: the Irish Film Board. 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. Cast: Romola Garai, James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Brenda Fricker. Shooting in Dublin.
Contact: Anna Raynsford, Freud Communications, (44) 20 7291 6399

JONJO MICKYBO
(WT2, New Moon Pictures) Backers: Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, the Irish Film Board, the Northern Ireland Film and Television Committee. Dist (int'l): 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. Shooting from Oct 15, 2003, for eight weeks in Belfast and on location in Northern Ireland.
Contact: Anna Raynsford, Freud Communications, (44) 20 7291 6399

SPARK
(Channel 4, Parallax) Backer: Screen Yorkshire. Int'l sales: Moviehouse Entertainment. Drama about the experience of British Muslims post-September 11. Tells the story of Yasmin, a British Muslim woman whose husband is falsely imprisoned as a terrorist suspect. Prod: Sally Hibbin. Dir: Kenny Glenaan. Scr: Simon Beaufoy. Cast: Archie Panjabi. Shooting from the end of November, 2003.
Int'l sales: Moviehouse Entertainment, (44) 207 380 3999

BYE BYE BLACKBIRD
(Samsa [Lux], Ipso Facto Films [UK], Reverse Angle Factory [Ger], Dor Films [Aust]). Budget: EUROS 6.7m. Backers: Film Fund Luxembourg, Great British Films, Filmforderung Baden-Wurttenberg (MFG), Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW), Osterreiche Filminstitut. Int'l sales: Samsa Distribution, Moviehouse Entertainment. Drama. A beautiful, tragic love story set in a circus at the turn of the century. A tale of dreams, trapese and unrequited love. Prods: Jani Thilges, Christine Alderson, Ute Schneider, Danny Krausz. Dir: Robinson Savary. Scr: Patrick Faure, Robinson Savary, Arif Ali Shah. DoP: Christophe Beaucarne. Ed: Claire Ferguson. Costume des: Hazel Pethig. Production des: Wilbert Van Dorp. Cast: Derek Jacobi, Isabello Miko, Jodhi May, James Thierree. Shooting from Oct 25, 2003, until Dec 30 in Luxembourg and Germany.
Contact: Christine Alderson, (44) 191 230 2585

PICCADILLY JIM
(Mission Pictures, Myriad Pictures) Backers: Inside Track, the Isle of Man Film Ltd. Int'l sales: Myriad Pictures. Adaptation of the P.G. Wodehouse classic novel. Exec prods: Kirk D'Amico, Marion Pilowsky, Steve Christian. Prods: Peter Czernin, Graham Broadbent, Andrew Hauptman. Dir: John McKay. Scr: Julian Fellowes. Cast: Sam Rockwell, Tom Wilkinson, Brenda Blethyn, Hugh Bonneville. Shooting from November 17, 2003, in the UK.
Contact: Mission Pictures, (44) 20 7734 6303

RABBIT ON THE MOON (WORKING TITLE)
(Head GearFilms [UK], Beanca Films [Ger], Calle Cruzada [Sp]) Budget: $3m. Backers: Fidicine Fund (Sp), Gussi Distribution (Mex). Political thriller focusing on an innocent Mexican man who is the victim of corruption, and framed for the murder of a top government official. His fight to clear his name and bid to escape his pursuers takes him to the UK, the original home of his wife who in turn is held captive by the Mexicans. He is then forced to take on the British authorities as well in his quest for justice and freedom. Prods: Phil Hunt, Greg Cruttwell, Jorge Ramirez Suarez, Jose Luis Escolar. Dir/scr: Jorge Ramirez Suarez. DoP (Mex): Luis Sansans. Prod des (Mex): Bernardo Trujillo. Cast: Bruno Bichir, Jesus Ochoa, Alvaro Guerrero, Emilio Echevarria, Lorraine Pilkington. Shooting from Nov 17 until Dec 19 in Mexico, and in the UK from Jan 19 until Feb 7.
Contact: Phil Hunt, (44) 207 485 0907/ (44) 7956 375 705

NEW FRANCE (NOUVELLE FRANCE)
(Telefilm Canada [Can]) Int'l sales: Lions Gate. Set in Canada during the turbulent days of 1758 - 1761, when France had abandoned its people and the British Regime was being established. Francois Le Gardeur returns to Canada after studying law at La Sorbonne, and rejecting his bourgeois family, he lives in the forests among Quebecois Indians. Prod: Richard Goudreau. Dir: Jean Beaudin. Cast: Irene Jacob, Gerard Depardieu, Vincent Perez, Tim Roth, Jason Isaacs, Colm Meaney, Noemie Godin Vigneau, David LaHaye. Shooting in Montreal and the UK.
Contact: Nicole Gregory, DDA, (44) 207 932 9833

THE AMERICAN
(CTB Film Company, Tartan Films) Prods: Sergey Selyanov, Hamish McAlpine. Dir: Alexei Balabanov. Cast: Michael Biehn. Shooting from Nov 3 for six weeks in New York and Siberia.
Contact Camilla Summers/David Freed, Tartan Films, (44) 207 494 1400

CREEP
(Dan Films, Zero West [Ger]) Backers: UK Film Council's Premiere Fund, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalia (NRW). Int'l sales: Capitol Films. Dist: Pathe (UK), X-Filme (Ger). Horror film set in subterranean London. London, midnight, on a cold evening. Unable to find a taxi, Kate (Franka Potente) heads for the Underground. She takes a seat away from the crowd of late-night revelers and waits for the last train. Before long she drifts off to sleep' and wakes to find everyone gone. She momentarily panics until another train pulls in. She boards, unnerved that she's the only passenger, but relieved at last to be on her way. Halfway through the tunnel the train jerks to a violent halt. The lights shut off and the train is plunged into darkness. Kate screams' she is trapped, in the dark' and she is not alone' her nightmare has only just begun. Prod: Julie Baines, Jason Newmark. Dir/scr: Chris Smith. Prod des: John Frankish. DoP: Daniel Cohen. Cast: Franka Potente, Vas Blackwood, Sean Harris. Shooting from Oct 20, 2003, in London and Cologne
Contact: Keeley Naylor / Zoe Flower, emfoundation, (44) 20 7247 4171

DEAD FISH
(Orange Pictures, IMF [Ger], Franchise Pictures, SE8 Group) Int'l sales: Franchise Pictures. Black comedy thriller. A twisting tale of mistaken identities, double-crosses, merciless killers and unrequited love. Based on a story by Charley Stadler and Thomas Geiger. Exec prod: Douglas Urbanski. Prod: Dan Maag, Philip Schulz-Deyle, Elie Samaha, Matthias Deyle. Line prod: Robert How. Dir: Charley Stadler. Scr: Adam Kreutner, Dave Mitchell. DoP: Fraser Taggart. Prod des: Jean Vincent Puzos. First AD: Matthew Penry-Davey. Casting dir: Jeremy Zimmermann. Costumes: Vin Burnham. Make-up: Trefor Proud. Sound recordist: John Rodda. Ed: Geoff Payne. Cast: Gary Oldman, Robert Carlyle, Elena Anaya, Andrew Lee Potts, Jimi Mistry, Billy Zane, Karel Roden. Shooting from Oct 10 on location in London.
Contact: Rob Deacon / Lawrence Atkinson, Premier PR, (44) 20 7292 8350 / 8355

JET LAG
(Visionary Films, Balagan Productions) Budget: £2.6m. Dist: Visionary Films. Romantic comedy. Prod: Jonathan Weissler. Dir: Agan. DoP: Bejini Li. Ed: Tang Wei Wen. Prod des: Alice Herrick. Art dir: Byron Broadbent. Costume des: Maggie Yan. UPM: Guy Allon. First AD: Mike Higgins. Unit man: Mark Tyack. Loc man: Philip Morris. Prod Co-ord: Paul Butterworth. Set dec: Kate Wicks. SFX supervisor: Steve Miller. Hair/make-up: Sjaan Gillings. Casting dir: Jenni Green. Sound mixer: Wu Jiang. Cast: Eddison Chan, Jennifer Li, Cary Woodworth, Naomi Gibson, Chris Frampton, Danya Lababedi, Don Klass, Ciaron Doyle, Samantha Johannson, Jo Wang, Shan Li, Aden Cardy Brown, Patricia Kensley, Jo Price, Jonathan Rhodes. Shooting from Oct 12, 2003, for eight weeks in Oxford, Bristol, London and Shanghai
Contact: production office, (44) 1256 884 817

AE FOND KISS
(Sixteen Films, Bianca Films [It], EMC [Ger], Tornasol Films [Sp]) Budget: £3m. Backers: Matador Pictures, Scottish Screen, The Glasgow Film Office. Int'l sales: The Works. Dist: Diaphana Distribution (Fr), Cineart (Benelux), Bim Distribuzione (It), Icon Films (UK), Cine Qua Non (Jap), Film Coopi (Switz). When Casim, a young Asian Glaswegian DJ meets and falls in love with Roisin, a Catholic music teacher, sparks fly and cultures collide... Exec prod: Ulrich Felsberg. Co-exec prod: Nigel Thomas. Prod: Rebecca O'Brien. Dir: Ken Loach. Scr: Paul Laverty. Ed: Jonathan Morris. Line prod: Peter Gallagher. Prod des: Martin Johnson. DoP: Barry Ackroyd. Costume des: Carole K Millar. Hair/make up des: Sarah Fidelo. Cast: Atta Yaqub, Eva Birthistle, Ahmad Riaz, Shamshad Akhtar, Ghizala Avan, Shabana Bakhsh. Shot from June 16 until July 31, 2003, in Glasgow and Spain. In post production. Language: English and Punjabi.
Contact: Rebecca O'Brien, (44) 20 7734 0168