Attenborough Filming In Belfast - Britmovie

theuofc · 23-04-2006, 01:34 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml.../22/ixhome.html

Belfast welcomes latest shooting by Attenborough

By Tom Peterkin, Ireland Correspondent
(Filed: 22/04/2006)

A grieving woman huddled over a dying soldier would hardly seem to be a sign that Northern Ireland is moving out of the dark shadows cast by the Troubles.

Nor, at first glance, would the re-fortification of Belfast or the return of soldiers to the streets appear to indicate a cultural renaissance.

Lord Attenborough on the set of the film
But a new era must be dawning when one realises the only shooting being done is by the Oscar-winning director Lord Attenborough and that the grief-stricken woman is another Academy Award winner, Shirley MacLaine.

This week, residents of a Protestant housing estate in north Belfast have had their daily routine interrupted by staged explosions, gun wielding extras playing soldiers and a procession of film stars.

Such a scenario would have been unthinkable a few years ago when Belfast was engulfed in terrorist conflict and the closest locals came to Hollywood was on day trips to the nearby Co Down garrison town of the same name.

Within range of the set is the Antrim Road, where an IRA machine gunner killed the SAS officer Capt Herbert Westmacott in May 1980.

Also nearby is the New Lodge district where Gunner Robert Curtis became the first British soldier to be killed in the Troubles 35 years ago.

In these relatively peaceful times, however, Ulster has become one of Europe's busiest film locations and Belfast has attracted one of the industry's biggest names in Lord Attenborough, 82, the director of Gandhi, Shadowlands and Cry Freedom.

Lord Attenborough's Closing the Ring is the most glamorous film produced in Northern Ireland and is becoming one of the most high-profile productions of the year.

It is one of eight films to have been shot in the province over the past 12 months and is part of an industry that has brought in £5.6 million in the past three years. Middletown, a Northern Irish drama of love and betrayal, opens in New York within days.

Also in production is Puffball, a thriller adapted from the Fay Weldon novel, starring Donald Sutherland and Miranda Richardson.

Starring with MacLaine in Closing the Ring, are Dublin-born Brenda Fricker, who won an Oscar for My Left Foot, and Misha Barton, the half-Irish 19-year-old star of the television show The OC. They are joined by Christopher Plummer and Pete Postlewaite.

"There is no doubt this is part of the rebirth of Belfast," said Richard Williams, the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, which is partly funding the project.

"This is massive. Richard Attenborough is the grandfather of British film.

"The creative industry has some part to play in most redevelopments, but in the context of Northern Ireland it is even more important.

"We have always had actors, writers and expertise, but we have been a huge exporter of talent. Now we are able to give them opportunities at home."

In addition to north Belfast's Fortwilliam Parade, the film is being shot in the city's new Titanic Studios and in Toronto.

Although the scenes filmed this week had strong links to the Troubles, Closing the Ring is a far cry from the genre of political films usually associated with Northern Ireland with their gritty portrayal of sectarian conflict.

It is an "epic love story" that crosses continents and spans half a century.

"This reminds us of the Troubles," said Annie Cook, 77, who has lived in the area for 33 years. "It was rough during those times, but this is very exciting. Our houses are going to make history.

"Richard Attenborough shook my hand and everyone has been very helpful and down to earth."

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23-04-2006, 01:34 AM	#1
theuofc Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Prefer to be in Provence Posts: 1,019 Country: iTrader: (0)	http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml.../22/ixhome.html Belfast welcomes latest shooting by Attenborough By Tom Peterkin, Ireland Correspondent (Filed: 22/04/2006) A grieving woman huddled over a dying soldier would hardly seem to be a sign that Northern Ireland is moving out of the dark shadows cast by the Troubles. Nor, at first glance, would the re-fortification of Belfast or the return of soldiers to the streets appear to indicate a cultural renaissance. Lord Attenborough on the set of the film But a new era must be dawning when one realises the only shooting being done is by the Oscar-winning director Lord Attenborough and that the grief-stricken woman is another Academy Award winner, Shirley MacLaine. This week, residents of a Protestant housing estate in north Belfast have had their daily routine interrupted by staged explosions, gun wielding extras playing soldiers and a procession of film stars. Such a scenario would have been unthinkable a few years ago when Belfast was engulfed in terrorist conflict and the closest locals came to Hollywood was on day trips to the nearby Co Down garrison town of the same name. Within range of the set is the Antrim Road, where an IRA machine gunner killed the SAS officer Capt Herbert Westmacott in May 1980. Also nearby is the New Lodge district where Gunner Robert Curtis became the first British soldier to be killed in the Troubles 35 years ago. In these relatively peaceful times, however, Ulster has become one of Europe's busiest film locations and Belfast has attracted one of the industry's biggest names in Lord Attenborough, 82, the director of Gandhi, Shadowlands and Cry Freedom. Lord Attenborough's Closing the Ring is the most glamorous film produced in Northern Ireland and is becoming one of the most high-profile productions of the year. It is one of eight films to have been shot in the province over the past 12 months and is part of an industry that has brought in £5.6 million in the past three years. Middletown, a Northern Irish drama of love and betrayal, opens in New York within days. Also in production is Puffball, a thriller adapted from the Fay Weldon novel, starring Donald Sutherland and Miranda Richardson. Starring with MacLaine in Closing the Ring, are Dublin-born Brenda Fricker, who won an Oscar for My Left Foot, and Misha Barton, the half-Irish 19-year-old star of the television show The OC. They are joined by Christopher Plummer and Pete Postlewaite. "There is no doubt this is part of the rebirth of Belfast," said Richard Williams, the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, which is partly funding the project. "This is massive. Richard Attenborough is the grandfather of British film. "The creative industry has some part to play in most redevelopments, but in the context of Northern Ireland it is even more important. "We have always had actors, writers and expertise, but we have been a huge exporter of talent. Now we are able to give them opportunities at home." In addition to north Belfast's Fortwilliam Parade, the film is being shot in the city's new Titanic Studios and in Toronto. Although the scenes filmed this week had strong links to the Troubles, Closing the Ring is a far cry from the genre of political films usually associated with Northern Ireland with their gritty portrayal of sectarian conflict. It is an "epic love story" that crosses continents and spans half a century. "This reminds us of the Troubles," said Annie Cook, 77, who has lived in the area for 33 years. "It was rough during those times, but this is very exciting. Our houses are going to make history. "Richard Attenborough shook my hand and everyone has been very helpful and down to earth."