DB7

Beatle biopic among new projects awarded grants by the UK Film Council

Jo Adetunji
Friday July 18, 2008
The Guardian

John Lennon once said he wasn't one for doing autobiography, but a new film - from the Bafta-winning writer of the Ian Curtis biopic Control - will take up the challenge with a controversial retelling of his early life.

Matt Greenhalgh, whose film about the Joy Division frontman won an award for special achievement by the director of a debut feature, will develop Nowhere Boy, a film based on a book by Lennon's half-sister, Julia Baird, which questions the conventional account of his upbringing.


Lennon was raised by his Aunt Mimi, who disapproved of his mother Julia, her younger sister, for "living in sin". Baird's book claims Aunt Mimi's disapproval was driven by jealousy, dating back to childhood sibling rivalry.

"When looking for my next project I was wary of musical protagonists - but when John Lennon was floated, that vanished. He is beyond music; above it even," said Greenhalgh.

"And his early life as told in Julia's book took me into a world that illuminated so much about this legendary genius. I could see the drama and film immediately. The women in his life, the men who weren't, the birth of rock'n'roll; all imposing on a brilliantly complicated adolescent mind.

"The nagging questions, the icy secrets, the need for love. John's angst and anger pouring out into his music, his thankful salvation. Without this story we would never have heard the Beatles - can you imagine that?"

A Hard Day's Night (1964) The Beatles' first film outing depicted a typical day in the life of the band. It was nominated for two Oscars.

Help! (1965) The last full-length film in which the Fab Four appeared as themselves. Ringo Starr is pursued by a cult, who are trying to retrieve a ring which has become stuck on his finger.

Yellow Submarine (1968) An animated feature, above, in which the music-loving inhabitants of Pepperland are attacked by the music-hating Blue Meanies.

Let it Be (1969) A documentary that followed the band over a four-week period. The film unwittingly became a fly-on-the-wall view of the break-up of the Beatles.

Backbeat (1994) Nominated for a Bafta and starring Stephen Dorff as the Beatles' original bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe, it follows the band before they were famous.

DB7

Taylor-Wood to direct Lennon film
'Nowhere Boy' joins Hanway slate
By ALI JAAFAR

Brit artist-turned-helmer Sam Taylor-Wood has signed on to direct Nowhere Boy, which tells the story of the teenage years of John Lennon.

Taylor-Wood was nominated for a Palme d'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival for her debut short 'Love You More,' produced by her mentor, the late Anthony Minghella.

She was previously part of the loosely defined Young British Artist group, alongside the likes of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, which turned the Brit art scene on its head during much of the 1990s. She is married to leading art dealer Jay Jopling.

"The story spoke to me on so many levels both personal and artistic" commented Taylor-Wood. From the heightened emotional content to the color and animation that I want to bring to the story.

"The women in John's early life truly shaped who he became and the strengths and weaknesses of their relationships are central to this film. It's a passionate, alive and tender film; full of love, anger and rock'n'roll."

Pic is written by Matt Greenhalgh, who won a BAFTA earlier this year for helmer Anton Corbijn's 'Control,' about doomed Joy Division singer Ian Brown.

'Nowhere Boy' follows Lennon through his formative years growing up in Liverpool, the tense relationship between his aunt Mimi and mother Julia and on to his first meetings with Paul McCartney.

Casting for the lead roles is underway, with lensing set to start in March next year on location in Liverpool.