Press

‘King’s Speech’ Producer Signs On for Explosive Afghan War Drama

11 August 2014 in Hollywood Reporter

The independent film executive produced by Gareth Ellis-Unwin is crowdfunded in part and will be released later this year to support military charities. Kajaki, an independently produced Afghan war drama, has just begun production in Jordan. Gareth Ellis-Unwin, who won an Oscar for The King's Speech, is an executive producer. The film was developed by Paul Katis, who is making his directing debut, and Tom Williams (Chalet Girl), who wrote the screenplay. Other executive producers are Alexa Jago (Waterworld) and Alec Mackenzie. The film recounts the true story of a three-man unit on patrol in Afghanistan in 2006 that, in an effort to...

‘Rob Roy’ Director Michael Caton-Jones to Take on ‘Urban Hymn’

02 July 2014 in Hollywood Reporter

The coming-of-age drama is set against the backdrop of the 2011 British youth riots. Michael Caton-Jones, director of Rob Roy, The Jackal and This Boy's Life, is taking on Urban Hymn, a coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of the 2011 British summer youth riots. He recently directed World Without End, the follow-up to 2010 miniseries The Pillars of the Earth. The eight-part series is based on a best-seller by Ken Follett. Producers Dashishah Universal Film Production and Eclipse Films, in association with Powderkeg Pictures, on Wednesday announced that Caton-Jones would direct the film from a script written by Nick Moorcroft, who previously...

Under Milk Wood begins shoot

25 June 2014 in Screen Daily

Principal photography on an adaptation of Under Milk Wood, starring Rhys Ifans, has begun in Wales. Based on Dylan Thomas’s classic radio drama, Under Milk Wood stars Ifans as First Voice/Captain Cat, an old sea captain who dreams of his deceased crew members and lost love. Directed by Kevin Allen, who made Ifans’ breakthrough film Twin Town, the shoot in the tiny harbour village of Solva, in Pembrokeshire, will last six weeks. Singer Charlotte Church will co-star as Polly Garter, a woman pining for her lost lover. Other roles are taken by a host of Welsh actors with guest appearances from rugby legend...

Brian Cox, Martin Freeman join American Hangman

18 May 2014 in Screen Daily

Metro International’s thriller is written and directed by Wilson Coneybeare. Brian Cox and Martin Freeman will star in American Hangman. Metro International’s US-based thriller is written and directed by playwright and documentarian Wilson Coneybeare, and centures on a kidnap plot that exploits the dark side of social media. The Canadian/Irish co-production is being produced by Coneybeare, Meredith Fowler, Jeremy Tebbett and Colin Tebbett for a 2015 release. Coneybeare commented: “I am thrilled to be able to work with talents as formidable as Martin Freeman and Brian Cox. The two will be together in every scene, playing off one another in a very tense situation,...

Spandau stays ‘true’ to Cannes crowd

17 May 2014 in Screen Daily

Famed ’80s English band Spandau Ballet arrived in Cannes to support their film Soul Boys of the Western World. Following the film’s market screening, Tony Hadley belted out sing-along favourites including ‘True’ and ‘Gold’ to a packed house at Plage Royal. Guitarist Steve Norman rocked it out on stage with Hadley while Martin Kemp was there ‘in support’, which involved standing around in the back and signing autographs. The recently formed Metro International sells the project (which debuted at SXSW). At Friday’s party they capably managed a house full of potential distributors and other industry friends, who were singing along en masse...

Metrodome takes Spandau Ballet doc for UK

15 May 2014 in Screen Daily

EXCLUSIVE: UK distributor nabs music doc from Metro International. UK distributor Metrodome Distribution has picked up Spandau Ballet doc Soul Boys of the Western Worldfrom Metro International. The SXSW title, which documents the story of the iconic ‘80s band through newsreel footage and new video content from the band’s personal archives, is directed by George Hencken. The deal was negotiated by Metro International head of sales Natalie Brenner on behalf of the producers Scott Millaney and Steve Dagger. Band members Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Steve Norman and Martin Kemp are in Cannes for a marche screening of the film on Friday. The film is scheduled...

Glee’s Chris Colfer to star in Noel Coward Biopic

14 May 2014 in Screen Daily

EXCLUSIVE: Sir Ian McKellen, Vanessa Redgrave in talks for biopic of UK playwright. Glee star Chris Colfer is attached to lead cast in Noel(working title), the Noel Coward biopic scripted by Bentand Mrs Henderson Presents writer Martin Sherman. Sir Ian McKellen, Vanessa Redgrave and Jonathan Pryce are in talks to join the cast of the feature, which portrays the early life and influences of the famously flamboyant British playwright, producer and wit who penned classics including Private Lives and Blithe Spirit and who worked on films including Brief Encounter and In Which We Serve, for which he was Oscar-nominated. The project, which has...

Spandau Ballet doc set for Cannes

28 April 2014 in Screen Daily

EXCLUSIVE: Metro International to screen documentary about 80s band to buyers. Soul Boys of the Western World, a documentary about 1980s group Spandau Ballet that proved a hit at SXSW in March, is to be screened to buyers at the Cannes Marché next month, handled by UK sales company Metro International. Members of the band, which had more than 20 hit singles such as True and Gold, are expected to make an appearance on the Croisette, five years after launching the project at the film festival. They will be joined by first-time director George Hencken to screen the film and launch international sales,...

Irish comedy The Stag sells to US

19 February 2014 in Screen Daily

EXCLUSIVE: Metro International inks multiple deals for Toronto premiere, starring Sherlock’s Andrew Scott. UK sales outfit Metro International has inked a number of deals on Irish comedy The Stag, including a US deal with Tribeca Film. Additional sales comprise Canada (TVA), Australia/NZ (Umbrella Entertainment), German-speaking Europe (Drei Freunde) and Italy (Academy 2). Further deals are in the works. The Toronto premiere tells the story of a groom-to-be who reluctantly agrees to a stag weekend of wild camping in the great outdoors of western Ireland. Cast includes Andrew Scott, best known for playing villain Moriarty in BBC drama Sherlock, alongside Peter McDonald, Hugh O’Conor and...

Metro International gets Spandau Ballet Doc

05 February 2014 in Screen Daily

EXCLUSIVE: UK sales outfit boards SXSW-bound doc about iconic 80s band. Metro International has boarded sales on documentary Soul Boys of the Western World about iconic 1980s band Spandau Ballet, which is set to premiere at SXSW in March. The archive film charts the rise, fall and reunion of the New Romantic group, comprising Tony Hadley, Gary Kemp, Steve Norman, John Keeble and Martin Kemp, which sold an estimated 20 million records worldwide. The documentary, which debuts in SXSW’s 24 Beats Section, is directed by long-term Julien Temple collaborator George Hencken. Producers are Steve Dagger and Scott Millaney. Metro International partner and head of...