Supernatural thriller The Dark is released on DVD today. Starring Sean Bean and Maria Bello, the film was shot in the Island in 2004 and tells the story of a bereaved mother who becomes convinced that her lost daughter is trying to communicate from beyond the grave. The film was described by the Guardian as ‘An atmospheric and rather creepy supernatural thriller’
Filmed in the Island last year, Lassie opened in the US last Friday (1st September) after its New York premiere was held a week earlier, where Lassie gave away ‘pawtographs’. The Film, which stars Samantha Morton and Peter O’Toole was also commended by the New York Times who described it as ‘beautifully orchestrated’ and described the locations used as ‘breathtaking’. Lassie is still available to buy on DVD in the UK.
The latest Isle of Man Film to be released has received great reviews from film critics. Due to be released this Friday (25th August) in both the UK and the Isle of Man, Severance – described as ‘The Office meets Deliverance’, first started receiving attention at the Cannes Film Festival. Since then, positive reviews have been circulating on the Internet and more recently James King, the Radio 1 Film critic described the film as ‘Absolutely Brilliant – Scary and Hilarious’ whilst Lad’s Mag Loaded said it was ‘The best British horror-comedy you’ll see this year’. The film is further commended by the BBC who describe it as ‘a slick mix of satire and splatter’ whilst Total Film carried a 4 page feature on the film in their September issue resulting in a 4 star review with the quote ‘A rare horror-comedy, one that’s scary, brutally funny and frequently brilliant’.
Severance will be showing at The Broadway Cinema from Friday 25th.
Filmed in the Island last year, Mistress of Spices is released on DVD in the UK on the 14th August. Starring Aishwarya Rai and Dylan McDermott, the film is based on the popular book by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Written by Gurinda Chadha and directed by Paul Mayeda Berges – who collaborated on BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM and BRIDE & PREJUDICE–the film focuses on how much immigrants should try to assimilate into a new country and how much of their traditions they should keep.
Colour Me Kubrick, shot in the Island in 2004, has been selected for this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival which celebrates its 60th birthday from 14 to 27 August. The film stars John Malkovich as Alan Conway, a British conman who masqueraded as reclusive director Stanley Kubrick in the 1990s. For more information, please visit the EIFF website.
After a busy week following the successful release of Stormbreaker, Isle of Man Film is expecting its next Production, Deaths of Ian to arrive on the Island on 31st July. Starring Christina Cole (‘Casino Royale’, ‘Hex’) and Mike Vogel (‘Poseidon’, ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’) the film tells the story of an all-American guy who is murdered each day by horrifying pursuers, only to wake up in slightly different lives to experience the terror of being murdered again.
Renowned film stars paid tribute to the Island at the premiere of Island-made movie Stormbreaker, held in the baking heat of Leicester Square in London on Monday night. Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Alicia Silverstone, Sophie Okenodo and the star of the film Alex Pettyfer were amongst those walking the red carpet to promote what is expected to be the biggest British movie of the summer. British Actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean) who plays MI6 agent, Alan Blunt in the film said ‘I’ve been to the Island lots of times on many different films and Thank God for the Isle of Man. Virtually all British films under a certain budget would not get made if it was not for the Isle of Man and Isle of Man Film. I like [the Island] very much’. Bill also praised the Island in an interview with The Guardian at the weekend in which he spoke about his time on the Island whilst filming Stormbreaker ‘I’m always very happy to be [on the Island]. It’s a sort of cross between Cornwall and Ireland’ American Actress Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Batman & Robin) who plays nanny Jack Starbright remarked ‘We had so much fun, it was ridiculous, it wasn’t really a job. Missi Pyle and I would ride our bikes everywhere and we went to a lovely vegetarian restaurant and really good health store. It was very nice’ The film is based on the Alex Rider series written by Anthony Horowitz, who also wrote the screenplay for the film. He said ‘The Isle of Man is a great film location, I mean it’s everything, England, France Germany…it’s a chameleon of an Island. The great chase scene that opens the film, I’m not sure we could have shot that anywhere else’ Director Geoff Sax praised Isle of Man Film for their help with the film, in particular Hilary Dugdale and Steve Christian who he described as ‘very film savvy and delightful to work with’ He continued ‘If it was not for Isle of Man Film, the British movie industry would not be able to produce the kind of films it does’ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FOOTAGE OF THE PREMIERE (for Windows) Click here for Macs.
Our biggest film to date is due for nationwide release on the 21st July following its London Premiere on the 17th July. There has already been plenty of publicity surrounding the film, which is based on Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider series. The film will also have a local premiere on the 23rd July, which has been arranged by the Isle of Man Children’s Centre and will include some of the key cast and Anthony Horowitz himself. Bill Nighy will also be attending.
Anthony Horowitz will also be signing copies of his books at Ottakar’s in Douglas on the 23rd July at 2pm.
We are looking for a temporary member of staff for a year’s contract to work in the busy office at Isle of Man Film. Previous experience in Customer Service and working in the office environment is essential. You must be reliable and resilient as the role is admin based and will involve filing, scanning and answering telephone calls. If you are interested, please contact Kate at Miracles on 620297.
From 14th June, Keeping Mum will be showing on Sky Box Office. It will be shown at various times and has a 15 rating. It is also available to buy on DVD.