Cannes Announces Irish Co-production THIS MUST BE THE PLACE for Official Competition
Filmed on location in Ireland last year, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE, directed by Paulo Sorrentino and co-produced by Irish production company Element Films, has been selected for Official Competition at the world famous Cannes Film Festival, which takes place from the 11th-22nd May.
The film which was backed by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) boasts a host of stars including Academy Award® winners Sean Penn (Milk, Mystic River) and Frances McDormand (Fargo), alongside Irish talent Simon Delaney (Zonad, Happy Ever Afters), Olwen Fouere (Ballykissangel), Kerry Conlon (Rome) and newcomer Eve Hewson, daughter of U2 singer Bono. The film shot on location around Dublin and Wicklow for three weeks last summer.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaelteacht Jimmy Deenihan said " I am delighted that a movie that has such close links with Ireland and the Irish film industry has been chosen to compete at this years Cannes Film Festival. The film industry here is attracting major productions due to the availability of world class cast and crew as well as stunning locations and excellent facilities. Ireland's competitive to Section 481 Film Tax Relief Scheme also demonstrate our commitment to and our confidence in film as an integral part of Ireland's future plans for economic growth. The extension of Section 481 until the end of 2015 is a very significant vote of confidence in the Irish audiovisual sector. The clear message is 'Ireland Must Be The Place' for great film-making."
Commenting on the news IFB Chairman James Morris said "A film such as THIS MUST BE THE PLACE has created a wide range of benefits for Ireland. First of all it created jobs and spend in the Irish economy on local goods and services when it filmed on location here. The film will now go on to promote Ireland in a positive light internationally to millions of audiences around the world. And of course it has also provided great opportunities for Irish industry professionals to work with world class talent such as Sean Penn, Frances McDormand and Paolo Sorrentino."
In a joint statement the Irish producers on the film Andrew Lowe and Ed Guiney from Element Pictures said "We are thrilled that This Must Be The Place has been selected for competition in Cannes, the most prestigious film festival in the world. It's a great vote of confidence in Ireland's ability to produce world class films for an international audience. Element's involvement in the film was made possible by the backing of Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board and Section 481 for which we are very grateful. This marks Element's fourth film in Cannes in the past five years following on from THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY (2006), GARAGE (2007) and ALL GOOD CHILDREN (2010).'
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE tells the story of Cheyenne (Sean Penn), a wealthy former rock star living in Dublin, who embarks on a quest to find his father's persecutor, a Nazi war criminal hiding out in the US.
NOTES
This good news follows hot on the heels of the IFB backed feature films LOTUS EATERS (Alexandra McGuinness), THE GUARD (Michael McDonagh) and THE HIDEAWAYS (Angés Merlet), being chosen for official competition at Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Film Festival in New York which begins next week April 21st. The Irish film industry has been making its mark on the world stage over the last twelve months with Irish films selected at all of the major A-list and most competitive international film festivals across the globe including Sundance, Toronto, Berlin and now Cannes. This really is a good news story for Ireland
ABOUT: THIS MUST BE THE PLACE
In This Must Be the Place Cheyenne, a wealthy former rock star living in Dublin, embarks on a quest to find his father's persecutor, a Nazi war criminal hiding out in the US. And so begins a life-altering journey across the heartland of America to track down and confront his father's nemesis. Cheyenne feels his spirit reawakened by the people he encounters, and his journey becomes one of self-discovery and reconciliation. As his date with destiny approaches and he prepares to come face to face with Lange, Cheyenne must decide if it's redemption he's seeking - or revenge.
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is an Irish-Italian co-production between Irish production company Element Pictures and Indigo Film and Lucky Red in Italy. The film was financially supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/ Irish Film Board, Eurimage, Medusa, Indigo Film, Intesa Sanpaolo Bank and ARP Selection France.
ABOUT: PAOLO SORRENTINO
Paolo Sorrentino is an award winning Italian film director and screenwriter. He achieved international recognition in 2004 for his stylish thriller, The Consequences of Love (Le conseguenze dell'amore) which was nominated for the Palme D'Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. Sorrentino's next feature, The Family Friend (L'amico di famiglia), was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006 and his next film Il Divo, was a dramatised biopic of Giulio Andreotti, the controversial Italian politician. Il Divo, won the Prix du Jury at Cannes Film Festival in 2008. This Must Be the Place marks the English-language feature debut of Italian filmmaker.
ABOUT: ELEMENT FILMS
Element Pictures have had continued success at the Cannes Film Festival as their previous offerings All Good Children, directed by Alicia Duffy, was selected for the Directors Fortnight last year, Garage, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, picked up the CICAE Art and Essai Cinema Prize in 2007, and The Wind That Shakes The Barley, directed by Ken Loach, won the Palme D'or in 2006.