Minister O'Donoghue Launches IFB Production Catalogue and announces new films for 2006
Following on from the announcement last week of a 21% capital budget increase for the Irish Film Board for 2006, John O’Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has launched the Irish Film Board’s Production Catalogue 05/06, featuring the new slate of upcoming Irish films financed by BSÉ/IFB.2006 will see the completion of several new wide ranging and diverse Irish films including MIDDLETOWN, starring Matthew Macfadyen (Pride and Prejudice), THE FRONT LINE, starring Eriq Ebouaney (Kingdom of Heaven), PUFFBALL, staring Donald Sutherland (Cold Mountain), IN LIKE FLYNN starring Iain Glen and 48 ANGELS starring John Travers and Shane Brolley (UNDERWORLD).
New upcoming feature films which will go into production in early 2006 include DRAGNET, written and directed by Steve Hudson and BECOMING JANE directed by Julian Jarrold (KINKY BOOTS). DRAGNET is set to star Robert Carlyle (THE FULL MONTY) and Gary Lewis (GOAL!) and will shoot for 5 weeks on location in Ireland on a trawler off-shore in Co. Cork and Co. Wicklow. The film is produced by Samson Films, Rosebud Films and Makar Films with co-financing from the Irish Film Board, the German Federal Film Board, NRW Germany, Scottish Screen, BBC Films, Eurimages and Scion (UK).
Scripted by Kevin Hood and Sarah Williams, BECOMING JANE is the true story of Jane Austen’s romantic relationship with a young Irishman and the emerging motivation which inspired her to become one of the greatest female writers of the 19th century. The film will star Anne Hathaway (BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, ELLA ENCHANTED) in the lead role, with Maggie Smith and Julie Walters also starring. The film will shoot on location in the Dublin/Wicklow region with a budget of approximately €12.5 million. BECOMING JANE will be co-produced by Octagon Films with financing from the Irish Film Board, the UK Film Council, Bank of Ireland and Scion (UK).
Two major TV series will begin filming in Ireland next year. THE TUDORS, a 10 x 60 minute series written by the award winning Michael Hirst (ELIZABETH) on the life and times of Henry VIII, will be filmed over 20 weeks in Ardmore studios, Co. Wicklow and has a budget of circa €20 million. THE TUDORS is produced by World 2000 for Showtime in association with Working Title.
Three episodes of the hit TV series MURPHYS LAW, starring James Nesbitt, will also go into production in Ireland early next year. The series will be produced by Tiger Aspect and co-produced by Element Films for the BBC with finance from the Irish Film Board.
James Morris, Chair of the Irish Film Board, said “2006 promises to be a busy year for the Irish film industry. We’d like to thank Minister O’Donoghue for his on-going support and are delighted to be in a position to be able to continue to finance a diverse slate of distinctive and interesting films. Throughout the last year Irish talent has been recognised at major film festivals all over the world and we hope to continue to develop and build upon these successes in 2006”
January 2006 will see the release of Neil Jordan’s BREAKFAST ON PLUTO, starring Cillian Murphy, who has just received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. BREAKFAST ON PLUTO will be released by Pathé Entertainment and was produced by Parallel Films. Pathé Entertainment are also releasing THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, directed by Ken Loach, starring Cillian Murphy and co-produced by Element Films. STUDS, directed by Paul Mercier starring Brendan Gleeson and ISOLATION directed by Billy O’Brien, starring John Lynch and Ruth Negga will all also be released in Irish cinemas next year.
LASSIE, directed by Charles Sturridge, which was filmed on location in Wicklow and Dublin earlier this year, will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland this Friday 16th December.
The Minister will also launch the Irish Talent on Film DVD Vol II, a second volume of this DVD series, featuring Irish short films which showcase the wealth of talent working in Irish film industry.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Throughout the last year, Irish films have continued to perform to critical acclaim at international festivals all over the world. Two feature films were selected for Berlin (Adam and Paul and The Mighty Celt) and three features films were selected for Toronto (Breakfast on Pluto, Pavee Lackeen and Isolation). Representation in Toronto is particularly important as it is viewed as a major gateway to the US market. Sugar and Hereafter screened in Rotterdam and the successful short film Undressing My Mother was selected to screen at Cannes. Pavee Lackeen was also selected for numerous major festivals including Venice and London and has picked up a host of awards all over the world.
Undressing My Mother, directed by Ken Wardrop has won the European Film Award for Best Short Film last week. This is the first Irish short film to ever win this award and clocks the 24th award for this film. Undressing My Mother has also recently been selected to screen at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2006.
A Woman’s Hair, directed by Conor McDermottroe and produced by Kate Bowe has recently won the Best Film Award at the Venice Short Film Festival 2006.