Becoming Jane in Irish cinemas this weekend
Filmed on location in Ireland for eight weeks in the Dublin, Offaly and Wicklow region BECOMING JANE, starring Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy will be released in Irish cinemas this weekend.BECOMING JANE presents a fresh and surprising view of the young Jane Austen (Anne Hathaway) and shows how a little-known love affair with the brilliant, roguish young Limerickman, Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), played an influential part in the shaping of her work. The film shows Jane’s determination to succeed in an era when independent thought for women was not encouraged and women’s choices were severely limited.
This true romantic encounter during a fascinating period in Austen’s life, is portrayed in a moving and exciting story, in the spirit of Jane Austen, one of the most inspiring female novelists of all time.
BECOMING JANE had a budget of €12.7 million and an Irish spend of almost €7 million and benefited from the IFB International Fund in 2005. Over 75% of the HOD’s were Irish and there were 17 cast, 116 Irish crew employed, aswell as over 1250 days work for extras on the film. Popular tourist locations such Dublin’s City Hall, Kilruddery, and the Irish Georgian houses on Henrietta Street all feature in the film.
BECOMING JANE is being released in Ireland by Buena Vista International (Ireland) on behalf of Miramax Films and is produced by Ecosse Films, makers of the multi award-winning Mrs. Brown, in association with Blueprint Pictures.
Directed by Julian Jarrold (Kinky Boots, White Teeth for TV), the talented cast includes Anne Hathaway (Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada) as the young writer and James McAvoy (Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Last King of Scotland) as the great love of her life. BECOMING JANE also stars, Dame Maggie Smith (the Harry Potter films, Gosford Park), Julie Walters (Harry Potter, Calendar Girls), James Cromwell (The Queen) , Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House for TV), Lucy Cohu (The Queen’s Sister for TV) and Lawrence Fox (Whatever Love Means for TV and new ITV drama Lewis).
The script was written by Sarah Williams and Kevin Hood. Jon Spence, Austen biographer and author of “Becoming Jane Austen”, acted as the historical consultant on the film. It is produced by Graham Broadbent, Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae for Ecosse Films in association with Blueprint Pictures, with backing from 2Entertain, the UK Film Council’s Premiere Fund, Scion Films and the Irish Film Board. Miramax Films will distribute in the US.
BECOMING JANE Opens in Cinemas Nationwide on March 16.