10 titles have been selected for the latest list.
The British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) has selected 10 titles for its Raindance Discovery Award longlist, including several that received recognition in last week’s lists.
Eva Riley’s sibling drama Perfect 10 is on the list, adding to its selections on four lists last week for debut director, debut screenwriter (both for Riley), breakthrough producer (Jacob Thomas) and twice in most promising newcomer (Frankie Box and Alfie Deegan).
Also selected on its fifth list is Rene van Pannevis’ crime drama Looted. van Pannevis was longlisted for debut director, and for debut screenwriter...
The British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) has selected 10 titles for its Raindance Discovery Award longlist, including several that received recognition in last week’s lists.
Eva Riley’s sibling drama Perfect 10 is on the list, adding to its selections on four lists last week for debut director, debut screenwriter (both for Riley), breakthrough producer (Jacob Thomas) and twice in most promising newcomer (Frankie Box and Alfie Deegan).
Also selected on its fifth list is Rene van Pannevis’ crime drama Looted. van Pannevis was longlisted for debut director, and for debut screenwriter...
- 11/23/2020
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
“Saint Maud,” “White Riot” and “Calm With Horses” are among the leading titles on the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) longlists announced Tuesday.
Riz Ahmed, star and co-writer of Berlin-winner “Mogul Mowgli” is on the longlist in the debut screenwriter long list, alongside Billie Piper for “Rare Beasts.”
Rose Glass, director of “Saint Maud,” which won an honorable mention at the BFI London Film Festival in 2019, makes it to the BIFA debut director and screenwriter longlist, as does producer Oliver Kassma, in the breakthrough producer category.
“White Riot” won awards at Berlin, London, Krakow and IndieLisboa, and director Rubika Shah duly makes it to the debut director list and Ed Gibbs in the breakthrough producer category.
“Calm With Horses” won at the Irish Film and Television Awards, and director Nick Rowland finds a place in the director longlist, Joseph Murtagh in the debut screenwriting category and Daniel Emmerson as breakthrough producer.
Riz Ahmed, star and co-writer of Berlin-winner “Mogul Mowgli” is on the longlist in the debut screenwriter long list, alongside Billie Piper for “Rare Beasts.”
Rose Glass, director of “Saint Maud,” which won an honorable mention at the BFI London Film Festival in 2019, makes it to the BIFA debut director and screenwriter longlist, as does producer Oliver Kassma, in the breakthrough producer category.
“White Riot” won awards at Berlin, London, Krakow and IndieLisboa, and director Rubika Shah duly makes it to the debut director list and Ed Gibbs in the breakthrough producer category.
“Calm With Horses” won at the Irish Film and Television Awards, and director Nick Rowland finds a place in the director longlist, Joseph Murtagh in the debut screenwriting category and Daniel Emmerson as breakthrough producer.
- 11/17/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Twenty-seven films have been longlisted across three new talent categories.
The British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) has moved its ceremony from its traditional early December slot to February 2021 as it announces the longlists for six categories this week.
The nominations will be announced on December 9 and winners revealed “in early February”, according to BIFA. An exact date and format of the ceremony has yet to be announced.
Scroll down for the New Talent longlists
Rose Glass’ horror Saint Maud and Nick Rowland’s drama Calm With Horses are two of six films included in all three longlists for the BIFA 2020 New Talent categories.
The British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) has moved its ceremony from its traditional early December slot to February 2021 as it announces the longlists for six categories this week.
The nominations will be announced on December 9 and winners revealed “in early February”, according to BIFA. An exact date and format of the ceremony has yet to be announced.
Scroll down for the New Talent longlists
Rose Glass’ horror Saint Maud and Nick Rowland’s drama Calm With Horses are two of six films included in all three longlists for the BIFA 2020 New Talent categories.
- 11/17/2020
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
A mother and daughter fleeing domestic violence find refuge in a sinister landscape dominated by a disused power station
A strange, semi-hallucinatory film from debut feature director Catherine Linstrum that teeters on the edge of incoherence, and then sometimes teeters in the opposite direction – of all too obvious symbolism. But it hooks into the mind, like a sharp short story, thanks to strong acting and an intuitive use of locations.
Bright newcomer Emilia Jones plays 14-year-old Emma, who was the horrified witness to an assault on her mother (Sienna Guillory) by her deeply disturbed and abusive half-brother (Oliver Coopersmith) who has already done jail time for violence. So she grabs her poor, injured mum and takes off with her in the car, with Emma driving – underage though she is – as far as Snowdonia in north Wales, where they break into an empty house.
A strange, semi-hallucinatory film from debut feature director Catherine Linstrum that teeters on the edge of incoherence, and then sometimes teeters in the opposite direction – of all too obvious symbolism. But it hooks into the mind, like a sharp short story, thanks to strong acting and an intuitive use of locations.
Bright newcomer Emilia Jones plays 14-year-old Emma, who was the horrified witness to an assault on her mother (Sienna Guillory) by her deeply disturbed and abusive half-brother (Oliver Coopersmith) who has already done jail time for violence. So she grabs her poor, injured mum and takes off with her in the car, with Emma driving – underage though she is – as far as Snowdonia in north Wales, where they break into an empty house.
- 11/5/2020
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
The company has also picked up ‘The Complex – Lockdown’.
UK-based sales agent 101 Films International has added two projects to its slate ahead of the Cannes virtual market, including Mickey Rourke action thriller Take Back.
The film will commence principal photography on a five-week shoot in California in early July, produced by Mike Hatton for Ton Of Hats with 101 Films’ Andy Lyon and Michael Walker.
101 Films is executive producing the title with Head Gear Films.
Directed by Christian Sesma and written by Zach Zerries, it centres on a couple living the perfect small-town life when a mysterious stranger from the past kidnaps their daughter.
UK-based sales agent 101 Films International has added two projects to its slate ahead of the Cannes virtual market, including Mickey Rourke action thriller Take Back.
The film will commence principal photography on a five-week shoot in California in early July, produced by Mike Hatton for Ton Of Hats with 101 Films’ Andy Lyon and Michael Walker.
101 Films is executive producing the title with Head Gear Films.
Directed by Christian Sesma and written by Zach Zerries, it centres on a couple living the perfect small-town life when a mysterious stranger from the past kidnaps their daughter.
- 6/18/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
The sales agency’s Afm slate also includes UK post-apocalyptic drama ‘Nuclear’.
Midway through the market, Ida Martins’ Media Luna has found a Chinese buyer for The Sweeties, its feelgood Italian comedy drama about body shape and synchronised swimming.
The film has gone to Phoenix Entertainment Group. The deal was negotiated by Martins and Ruby Li of Phoenix.
Media Luna has kicked off sales at Afm on UK post-apocalyptic drama Nuclear directed by Catherine Linstrum and starring Emilia Jones, Sienna Guillory and George MacKay. The film premiered last month at Warsaw Film Festival.
The Cologne-based sales outfit has also taken...
Midway through the market, Ida Martins’ Media Luna has found a Chinese buyer for The Sweeties, its feelgood Italian comedy drama about body shape and synchronised swimming.
The film has gone to Phoenix Entertainment Group. The deal was negotiated by Martins and Ruby Li of Phoenix.
Media Luna has kicked off sales at Afm on UK post-apocalyptic drama Nuclear directed by Catherine Linstrum and starring Emilia Jones, Sienna Guillory and George MacKay. The film premiered last month at Warsaw Film Festival.
The Cologne-based sales outfit has also taken...
- 11/10/2019
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Lee Haven Jones’ feature debut stars Annes Elwy.
Lee Haven Jones’ directorial debut Gwledd is the sixth feature film to wrap through the Ffilm Cymru Wales Cinematic scheme, which is backed by the BFI.
The initiative is dedicated to supporting innovative and unique filmmaking talents in Wales.
Gwledd is a contemporary horror film written by Roger Williams, about a waitress at a dinner party who causes the host family to confront personal failures and environmental responsibilities. Annes Elwy stars with Nia Roberts, Julian Lewis, Steffan Cennydd and Sion Alun Davies.
It is produced by Haven Jones and Williams’ outfit Joio.
Lee Haven Jones’ directorial debut Gwledd is the sixth feature film to wrap through the Ffilm Cymru Wales Cinematic scheme, which is backed by the BFI.
The initiative is dedicated to supporting innovative and unique filmmaking talents in Wales.
Gwledd is a contemporary horror film written by Roger Williams, about a waitress at a dinner party who causes the host family to confront personal failures and environmental responsibilities. Annes Elwy stars with Nia Roberts, Julian Lewis, Steffan Cennydd and Sion Alun Davies.
It is produced by Haven Jones and Williams’ outfit Joio.
- 8/1/2019
- by Nourdin Lahbib
- ScreenDaily
Titles include Catherine Linstrum’s ’This Earth Is Not Our Home’.
The UK’s Welsh film agency Ffilm Cymru Wales has selected five feature projects by Welsh filmakers to receive a total of £63,230 in its latest round of development funding.
They are comprised of two documentaries and three fiction films.
The Earth Is Not Our Home, a sci-fi drama exploring mental health issues set on a dusty volcanic island off the coast of Africa, has received £15,000. It will be the second feature from writer-director Catherine Linstrum and producer Stella Nwimo through their company Fireparty, following their forthcoming debut Nuclear, which...
The UK’s Welsh film agency Ffilm Cymru Wales has selected five feature projects by Welsh filmakers to receive a total of £63,230 in its latest round of development funding.
They are comprised of two documentaries and three fiction films.
The Earth Is Not Our Home, a sci-fi drama exploring mental health issues set on a dusty volcanic island off the coast of Africa, has received £15,000. It will be the second feature from writer-director Catherine Linstrum and producer Stella Nwimo through their company Fireparty, following their forthcoming debut Nuclear, which...
- 7/17/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The film is the directorial debut of ‘Dreaming Of Joseph Lees’ screenwriter Catherine Linstrum.
Emilia Jones and George MacKay are starring in supernatural thriller Nuclear, which is currently shooting in Wales.
The Ffilm Cymru Wales and BFI-backed project is from debut director Catherine Linstrum, whose previous work as a screenwriter includes California Dreamin’ and Dreaming Of Joseph Lees. Her short films include Nadger, which was a Bafta Cymru Award-winner.
The film was developed and is being produced through the second edition of Ffilm Cymru Wales’s low-budget Cinematic scheme, which is financed by the BFI, using National Lottery funding,...
Emilia Jones and George MacKay are starring in supernatural thriller Nuclear, which is currently shooting in Wales.
The Ffilm Cymru Wales and BFI-backed project is from debut director Catherine Linstrum, whose previous work as a screenwriter includes California Dreamin’ and Dreaming Of Joseph Lees. Her short films include Nadger, which was a Bafta Cymru Award-winner.
The film was developed and is being produced through the second edition of Ffilm Cymru Wales’s low-budget Cinematic scheme, which is financed by the BFI, using National Lottery funding,...
- 5/12/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Three Welsh films head to production in scheme backed by BFI, S4C.
Three Welsh features have been selected for production through Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Cinematic scheme, supported by the BFI and broadcaster S4C.
Nuclear is a supernatural thriller and directorial feature debut from writer-director Catherine Linstrum.
Set in a small village under the shadow of a nuclear power station, the film follows a toxic family with a combustible past which must face the ghosts that threaten their future.
Linstrum, whose writing credits include Dreaming of Joseph Lees and California Dreamin’, has co-written the script with David John Newman, while Stella Nwimo will produce. The three had previously collaborated on the short film Things That Fall from the Sky, starring Ophelia Lovibond and Steve Waddington, through BFI Network Wales’ Beacons scheme.
Cadi (previously Gwrach) is a contemporary Welsh-language horror, set in the beautiful but brutal landscape of Snowdonia. The movie will...
Three Welsh features have been selected for production through Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Cinematic scheme, supported by the BFI and broadcaster S4C.
Nuclear is a supernatural thriller and directorial feature debut from writer-director Catherine Linstrum.
Set in a small village under the shadow of a nuclear power station, the film follows a toxic family with a combustible past which must face the ghosts that threaten their future.
Linstrum, whose writing credits include Dreaming of Joseph Lees and California Dreamin’, has co-written the script with David John Newman, while Stella Nwimo will produce. The three had previously collaborated on the short film Things That Fall from the Sky, starring Ophelia Lovibond and Steve Waddington, through BFI Network Wales’ Beacons scheme.
Cadi (previously Gwrach) is a contemporary Welsh-language horror, set in the beautiful but brutal landscape of Snowdonia. The movie will...
- 7/13/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Catherine Linstrum and Keri Collins movies shortlisted for development and production scheme.
Ten movie projects have been shortlisted for the Ffilm Cymru Wales/Film Wales’ Cinematic development and production scheme.
This year, nominated features include Nuclear by Cannes award-winning director Catherine Linstrum (California Dreamin’) and Sorted by former Raindance entrant Keri Collins (Convenience).
The programme, for films with budgets up to £300k, is financed in partnership with the BFI and S4C with additional support from Fields Park Entertainment and Warner Music Supervision.
Shortlisted film teams will now receive input from industry professionals including producers Julie Baines (Creep) and Emily Leo (Under the Shadow) as well as director Ben Parker (The Chamber), alongside sales and distribution representatives such as Jezz Vernon, formerly of Metrodome, and Deborah Rowland.
Three selected films will then be made over the next 18 months.
FfCW will invest approximately £180,000 production finance into each of the final three films. As part of...
Ten movie projects have been shortlisted for the Ffilm Cymru Wales/Film Wales’ Cinematic development and production scheme.
This year, nominated features include Nuclear by Cannes award-winning director Catherine Linstrum (California Dreamin’) and Sorted by former Raindance entrant Keri Collins (Convenience).
The programme, for films with budgets up to £300k, is financed in partnership with the BFI and S4C with additional support from Fields Park Entertainment and Warner Music Supervision.
Shortlisted film teams will now receive input from industry professionals including producers Julie Baines (Creep) and Emily Leo (Under the Shadow) as well as director Ben Parker (The Chamber), alongside sales and distribution representatives such as Jezz Vernon, formerly of Metrodome, and Deborah Rowland.
Three selected films will then be made over the next 18 months.
FfCW will invest approximately £180,000 production finance into each of the final three films. As part of...
- 12/6/2016
- ScreenDaily
With Game of Thrones‘ second season having just concluded, Kit “Jon Snow” Harington will do a little feature work before it’s back to sword-swinging across Westeros for him. There’s already a role in WB’s fantasy epic, The Seventh Son, getting underway, and ScreenDaily now reports that Harington will join Vera Farmiga for Greenland Time, an endeavor from writers and first-time directors David Newman & Catherine Linstrum; Sigma and Lars von Trier‘s Zentropa are producing.
A psychological thriller set in the titular country, Greenland Time follows a woman (Farmiga) trying to find the man (probably Harington) that ran over and killed her daughter in an accident. How does a standard set-up along those lines become psychological? We’ll have to tune in and find out for ourselves — right now, let’s just some credit to Harington on landing what, from the sound of it, might be a plum...
A psychological thriller set in the titular country, Greenland Time follows a woman (Farmiga) trying to find the man (probably Harington) that ran over and killed her daughter in an accident. How does a standard set-up along those lines become psychological? We’ll have to tune in and find out for ourselves — right now, let’s just some credit to Harington on landing what, from the sound of it, might be a plum...
- 6/7/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
The end is nigh! The currently shooting "The Bitter Pill," starring Channing Tatum and Rooney Mara, marks Steven Soderbergh's penultimate feature film, after which the curtains will close with his long-gestating Liberace biopic "Behind The Candelabra," which films this summer. The latter has now began filling out its cast, with Dan Aykroyd jumping on board to play the famed entertainer's long-term manager, Seymour Heller.
Despite being the flamboyant singer's manager for much of his career, Heller disapproved of Liberace's relationship with live-in lover Scott Thorson. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon are set to play Liberace and Thorson, and the script comes by way of Richard Lagravenese with the project to premiere on HBO in the U.S. before a theatrical unveiling internationally. [Variety]
This past Sunday saw the end of the latest season of HBO's uber-popular "Game Of Thrones." Before lensing on the next set of episodes begins, talent...
Despite being the flamboyant singer's manager for much of his career, Heller disapproved of Liberace's relationship with live-in lover Scott Thorson. Michael Douglas and Matt Damon are set to play Liberace and Thorson, and the script comes by way of Richard Lagravenese with the project to premiere on HBO in the U.S. before a theatrical unveiling internationally. [Variety]
This past Sunday saw the end of the latest season of HBO's uber-popular "Game Of Thrones." Before lensing on the next set of episodes begins, talent...
- 6/7/2012
- by Simon Dang
- The Playlist
"Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington will play opposite Vera Farmiga in the thriller "Greenland Time" at Sigma/Zentropa reports Screen Daily.
Set on the icy Arctic landmass, the psychological-thriller follows a woman out for revenge on the man who killed her daughter in a hit-and-run accident. David Newman and Catherine Linstrum penned the script and will direct.
Shooting kicks off in October/November. Harington is currently filming "The Seventh Son" for Warners, and will get back to work as Jon Snow on the third season of "Game of Thrones" later this Summer in Northern Ireland.
Set on the icy Arctic landmass, the psychological-thriller follows a woman out for revenge on the man who killed her daughter in a hit-and-run accident. David Newman and Catherine Linstrum penned the script and will direct.
Shooting kicks off in October/November. Harington is currently filming "The Seventh Son" for Warners, and will get back to work as Jon Snow on the third season of "Game of Thrones" later this Summer in Northern Ireland.
- 6/6/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Greenland Time
Vera Farmiga will join David Newman and Catherine Linstrum's new psychological-thriller "Greenland Time" at Sigma and Zentropa.
The story follows a woman out for revenge on the man who killed her daughter in a hit-and-run accident. Discussions are underway for the male role and shooting aims to begin in October and November. [Source: Screen Daily]
Caught in Flight
"Lost" star Naveen Andrews is set as the male lead in Ben Wheatley's feature "Diana" opposite Naomi Watts.
Andrews will play the role of Dr. Hasnat Khan, the heart surgeon who had a brief relationship with Princess Spencer before her death in 1997. [Source: The Guardian]
Premature
John Karna ("Bindlestiffs") is in negotiations to play the lead in Dan Beers' "Premature". Mat Harawitz co-wrote the script.
Karna would play a high school student in the movie, which occurs on Groundhog Day. [Source: Deadline]...
Vera Farmiga will join David Newman and Catherine Linstrum's new psychological-thriller "Greenland Time" at Sigma and Zentropa.
The story follows a woman out for revenge on the man who killed her daughter in a hit-and-run accident. Discussions are underway for the male role and shooting aims to begin in October and November. [Source: Screen Daily]
Caught in Flight
"Lost" star Naveen Andrews is set as the male lead in Ben Wheatley's feature "Diana" opposite Naomi Watts.
Andrews will play the role of Dr. Hasnat Khan, the heart surgeon who had a brief relationship with Princess Spencer before her death in 1997. [Source: The Guardian]
Premature
John Karna ("Bindlestiffs") is in negotiations to play the lead in Dan Beers' "Premature". Mat Harawitz co-wrote the script.
Karna would play a high school student in the movie, which occurs on Groundhog Day. [Source: Deadline]...
- 5/19/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Even though he scripted "American Beauty" for Sam Mendes before his two successful television shows "Six Feet Under" and "True Blood," Alan Ball has only returned to the silver screen for little-seen directorial debut "Towelhead." Last year, though, brought news that Emmy and Oscar winning writer-director (hello Egot?) was lining up a return with a dark comedy for Paramount.
While Ball has now stepped away from the director's chair for "True Blood" protégé and television vet Daniel Minahan (who came close to landing the job directing "Thor 2,") he's now found his leading lady for film in the form of the versatile Elizabeth Banks. The actress will play a stepped-on office-worker who after years of abuse snaps and resorts to murderous revenge. Lensing will begin early next year in L.A. soon after Banks team with Charlie Kaufman for his highly anticipated film industry musical satire, "Frank Or Francis." [ThompsonOnHollywood]
Robin Williams,...
While Ball has now stepped away from the director's chair for "True Blood" protégé and television vet Daniel Minahan (who came close to landing the job directing "Thor 2,") he's now found his leading lady for film in the form of the versatile Elizabeth Banks. The actress will play a stepped-on office-worker who after years of abuse snaps and resorts to murderous revenge. Lensing will begin early next year in L.A. soon after Banks team with Charlie Kaufman for his highly anticipated film industry musical satire, "Frank Or Francis." [ThompsonOnHollywood]
Robin Williams,...
- 5/18/2012
- by Simon Dang
- The Playlist
At the end of last year we reported that the Fantasia Film Festival is gearing up to become the next hot spot to acquire unproduced projects being sold as part of its film market - the Frontières International Co-Production Market. And now we have additional details.
From the Press Release
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, is embarking on its 16th edition with a major new industry-driven venture: the Frontières International Co-Production Market. Frontières is the first international co-production market to connect North American with Europe and Australasia in an environment focused specifically on genre film production.
The projects to be presented in the market have now been chosen and feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, as well as numerous established international producers.
Blood Borne (Australia) Director / Writer:...
From the Press Release
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, is embarking on its 16th edition with a major new industry-driven venture: the Frontières International Co-Production Market. Frontières is the first international co-production market to connect North American with Europe and Australasia in an environment focused specifically on genre film production.
The projects to be presented in the market have now been chosen and feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, as well as numerous established international producers.
Blood Borne (Australia) Director / Writer:...
- 5/7/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival, (also known as Sound On Sight’s favourite film festival world wide), as well as widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, is embarking on its 16th edition with a major new industry-driven venture: the Frontières International Co-Production Market. Frontières is the first international co-production market to connect North-American with Europe and Australasia, in an environment focused specifically on genre film production.
The projects to be presented in the market have now been chosen and feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, as well as numerous established international producers. Fantasia just announced the selection of the first fourteen projects and there is plenty of reason to be excited.
Here is the press release:
Four of the 14 projects hail from Canada and Quebec: Adored maverick trail-blazer Bruce McDonald (Hard Core Logo 1 & 2, This Movie Is Broken,...
The projects to be presented in the market have now been chosen and feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, as well as numerous established international producers. Fantasia just announced the selection of the first fourteen projects and there is plenty of reason to be excited.
Here is the press release:
Four of the 14 projects hail from Canada and Quebec: Adored maverick trail-blazer Bruce McDonald (Hard Core Logo 1 & 2, This Movie Is Broken,...
- 5/7/2012
- by Kyle Reese
- SoundOnSight
Portraying a love triangle with nearly Gothic melodramatic intensity, "Dreaming of Joseph Lees" is a tale of romantic obsession that isn't very romantic. The story of a young woman's preoccupation with the title character even as she is living with another man, the film seems as confused and conflicted as its heroine.
Fox Searchlight will no doubt highlight the story's erotic aspects, but "Joseph Lees" is unlikely to break out of the art house circuit. It recently received its world premiere at the Montreal World Film Festival.
Samantha Morton, who received much acclaim for playing a similarly romantically confused character in "Under the Skin", is equally fine as Eva, a young woman who lives with her teenage sister Janie (Lauren Richardson) and her dotty father (Frank Finlay) in the rural English county of Somerset, circa 1958. Eva, who works as a clerk, dreams of such things as fine art and travel, and she longs particularly for Joseph Lees (Rupert Graves), a second cousin with whom she has been in love since childhood.
Joseph, a geologist, has lost his leg from a quarry accident in Italy, but the handicap has only increased his allure for Eva.
When Eva is wooed relentlessly by the unsophisticated but genial Harry (Lee Ross), a local pig farmer, she finally succumbs and eventually moves in with him. Things proceed happily for a while, but when Joseph shows up at a family wedding, sparks fly between him and Eva, and their ever-growing feelings for each other -- resulting ultimately in physical consummation -- drive a wedge between her and Harry. Sensing her growing distance from him, Harry becomes increasingly distraught and irrational, resulting in dire consequences.
The most successful aspect of Catherine Linstrum's screenplay is its delineation of Eva's sexual and emotional development. Several scenes in which Eva is confronted with the naked male form -- such as when she spies on Harry showering and sketches a male nude in her art class -- convey beautifully the character's struggle with her sexuality. Other scenes, such as when she loses her virginity to Harry and finally makes love with Joseph, resonate with sensitivity and authenticity.
But the plot possesses a formulaic quality, and the characterizations are uneven at best. The title character, though played effectively by the always-fine Graves, remains an enigma.
Morton does an excellent job portraying Eva's inner conflicts, and Ross is moving as the pathetic Harry. Also fine is Richardson as the precocious little sister who is instrumental in moving things along between Eva and Joseph. Finlay, Miriam Margolyes and Nick Woodeson provide pungent portrayals in smaller roles.
DREAMING OF JOSEPH LEES
Fox Searchlight
Director: Eric Styles
Screenwriter: Catherine Linstrum
Producer: Christopher Milburn
Executive producer: Mark Thomas
Director of photography: Jimmy Dibling
Production designer: Humphrey Jaeger
Editor: Caroline Limmer
Music: Zbigniew Preisner
Color/stereo
Cast:
Joseph Lees: Rupert Graves
Eva: Samantha Morton
Mr. Dian: Nick Woodeson
Harry: Lee Ross
Robert: Felix Billson
Janie: Lauren Richardson
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Fox Searchlight will no doubt highlight the story's erotic aspects, but "Joseph Lees" is unlikely to break out of the art house circuit. It recently received its world premiere at the Montreal World Film Festival.
Samantha Morton, who received much acclaim for playing a similarly romantically confused character in "Under the Skin", is equally fine as Eva, a young woman who lives with her teenage sister Janie (Lauren Richardson) and her dotty father (Frank Finlay) in the rural English county of Somerset, circa 1958. Eva, who works as a clerk, dreams of such things as fine art and travel, and she longs particularly for Joseph Lees (Rupert Graves), a second cousin with whom she has been in love since childhood.
Joseph, a geologist, has lost his leg from a quarry accident in Italy, but the handicap has only increased his allure for Eva.
When Eva is wooed relentlessly by the unsophisticated but genial Harry (Lee Ross), a local pig farmer, she finally succumbs and eventually moves in with him. Things proceed happily for a while, but when Joseph shows up at a family wedding, sparks fly between him and Eva, and their ever-growing feelings for each other -- resulting ultimately in physical consummation -- drive a wedge between her and Harry. Sensing her growing distance from him, Harry becomes increasingly distraught and irrational, resulting in dire consequences.
The most successful aspect of Catherine Linstrum's screenplay is its delineation of Eva's sexual and emotional development. Several scenes in which Eva is confronted with the naked male form -- such as when she spies on Harry showering and sketches a male nude in her art class -- convey beautifully the character's struggle with her sexuality. Other scenes, such as when she loses her virginity to Harry and finally makes love with Joseph, resonate with sensitivity and authenticity.
But the plot possesses a formulaic quality, and the characterizations are uneven at best. The title character, though played effectively by the always-fine Graves, remains an enigma.
Morton does an excellent job portraying Eva's inner conflicts, and Ross is moving as the pathetic Harry. Also fine is Richardson as the precocious little sister who is instrumental in moving things along between Eva and Joseph. Finlay, Miriam Margolyes and Nick Woodeson provide pungent portrayals in smaller roles.
DREAMING OF JOSEPH LEES
Fox Searchlight
Director: Eric Styles
Screenwriter: Catherine Linstrum
Producer: Christopher Milburn
Executive producer: Mark Thomas
Director of photography: Jimmy Dibling
Production designer: Humphrey Jaeger
Editor: Caroline Limmer
Music: Zbigniew Preisner
Color/stereo
Cast:
Joseph Lees: Rupert Graves
Eva: Samantha Morton
Mr. Dian: Nick Woodeson
Harry: Lee Ross
Robert: Felix Billson
Janie: Lauren Richardson
Running time -- 92 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 7/20/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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