Press

Sam Claflin enlists in WWI classic ‘Journey’s End’

04 November 2015 in Press, Screen Daily

EXCLUSIVE: Claflin, Freddie Highmore, Paul Bettany attached to feature adaptation. The Hunger Games’ Sam Claflin is attached to star as Captain Stanhope in the screen adaptation of R.C. Sheriff’s WWI classic play Journey’s End. Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel) is due to co-star as Raleigh while Paul Bettany (Margin Call) and Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) are also attached in leading roles. Set in the trenches over four days in 1918, Journey’s End follows a group of soldiers as they prepare for an enemy attack with new recruit Raleigh joining the company commanded by 20 year old Captain Stanhope, his former childhood friend...

Screen panel cites UK export challenges

12 September 2015 in Press, Screen Daily

British films hoping to succeed in the international market must overcome production and distribution roadblocks in an increasingly competitive industry. That was the message from the ‘Selling UK Films Abroad’ panel discussion co-hosted by Screen International and the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) agency, held at London House, about how British films are faring abroad. “You can’t have a weak link in a package anymore,” said Metro Films International CEO Will Machin, who is selling Michael Caton-Jones’ Urban Hymn in Toronto. Stephen Kelliher, director of Bankside Films, noted that the bar is higher than ever and stated: “The bullseye for what...

Metro International strikes North American deal on ‘Kilo Two Bravo’

19 August 2015 in Press, Screen Daily

18 August, 2015 | By Jeremy Kay EXCLUSIVE: The London-based sales agent has struck a US and Canadian sale on the BAFTA-nominated war story ahead of next month’s North American premiere in Toronto. Metro International head of sales Natalie Brenner has licensed US and Canadian rights to Toronto-based Search Engine in a deal with president John Bain that will see the Canadian distributor make its first foray into the US market, where it will release in conjunction with Honora Productions. The film, until recently known as Kajaki. The True Story, will premiere in Toronto’s City To City section profiling cinema from...

‘Under Milk Wood’: Edinburgh Review

02 July 2015 in Hollywood Reporter, Press

Rhys Ifans returns to his South Wales roots with this lusty cinematic remake of the celebrated radio play by legendary Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Rounding off a year of celebrations to mark the centenary of his birth, the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas gets the full cinematic treatment in this lusty and irreverent new adaptation of his most famous work. A multi-character portrait of a fictional fishing village on the coast of South Wales, Under Milk Wood was conceived as a "play for voices" that first aired on BBC radio in 1954. Welsh national hero Rhys Ifans stars and co-produces this reunion...

Kajaki returns to the big screen for Armed Forces Day

19 June 2015 in Press

War thriller Kajaki will be screened at Cineworld in Aldershot and Odeon in Guildford as part of the many activities taking place for Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Week. Directed by Paul Katis and written by Tom Williams, the BAFTA-nominated film is based on a true story and recounts an inspiring but shocking episode in recent British war history. The first screening will take place at Cineworld, Aldershot, on Monday June 22 at 6.30pm, with all proceeds going to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The second screening sees Kajaki heading to Guildford Odeon with a screening on Thursday June 25 at 7.30pm, with...

‘Under Milk Wood’ gets UK deal

11 June 2015 in Press, Screen Daily

Rhys Ifans and singer Charlotte Church star in Edinburgh-bound drama. Metrodome Distribution has acquired UK and Ireland rights to the feature version of Dylan Thomas classic Under Milk Wood from Metro International. Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man) and singer Charlotte Church star in the drama, which will debut at this month’s Edinburgh International Film Festival. Kevin Allen (Twin Town) directs the surreal story in which Blind Captain Cat (Rhys Ifans) is tormented in his dreams by his drowned shipmates, and the innermost thoughts of the inhabitants of a fictional small Welsh fishing village Llareggub. The deal was negotiated by Metrodome MD Jezz Vernon and...

Afghanistan War Movie ‘Kajaki’ to Receive Jordanian Premiere

17 May 2015 in Press, Variety

LONDON — “Kajaki: The True Story,” a British film about the Afghanistan war from the producer of Oscar winner “The King’s Speech,” is to receive its Jordanian premiere in Amman on Wednesday. The film was shot in Jordan. Some 500 guests are expected to attend the premiere, which will be held under the chairmanship of Prince Mired bin Ra’ad bin Zeid. Guests will include the local crew and cast who worked on the film, and some high-profile special guests. The film’s director, Paul Katis, who is attending the premiere and hosting master classes in Amman this week, commented: “It’s fantastic to be...

Short cuts: Damon Gameau’s That Sugar Movie hits sweet spot with $1m in box office takings

15 April 2015 in Press

Actor turned documentary maker Damon Gameau is tasting success with That Sugar Movie. It's now the second-highest-grossing cinema release Australian documentary in the local market (excluding IMAX). As of Wednesday April 15, it had taken $1,173,171 at the box office, passing Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond's Mrs Carey's Concert (2011). Bra Boys (2007), directed by Sunny Abberton and Macario De Souza, still occupies the number one spot. That Sugar Movie – which passed the million-dollar mark on the chocolate-heavy Easter Sunday – takes a sceptical yet entertaining look at the place of sugar in our diet It follows Gameau as...

World Cup trophy to visit Belfast for ‘Shooting for Socrates’ premiere

09 April 2015 in Press

Belfast will welcome a special visitor later this month - the World Cup trophy. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given his personal authority for the iconic trophy to be present at the premier of a new movie, 'Shooting for Socrates'. The honour is being made in recognition of Northern Ireland's Jim Boyce OBE, the outgoing FIFA Vice-President. Boyce, who will be replaced by FA vice-chairman David Gill, will be guest of honour when the film is launched in Belfast on April 24, and he will be joined by most of Northern Ireland's 1986 World Cup squad - the last NI team to reach...

Belfast Film Festival: Shooting for Socrates is Belfast’s very own David and Goliath story

26 March 2015 in Press

Shooting for Socrates is one of the most talked about films to be showcase at the upcoming Belfast Film Festival next month. This joyous comedy is portrayed as a David and Goliath story set in our great city against the backdrop of the 1986 World Cup and the conflict of the troubles. Marie Jones' film is about following your dreams, no matter where you come from, and losing your heart to the 'beautiful game'. In a Northern Ireland divided on religious lines, nine-year-old Tommy learns to make sense of his world through his passion for football and his father's love of Greek philosophy. Meanwhile,...