Projects

Synopsis

After Quentin Tarantino set the precedent, working in a video store is fast becoming an established alternative route into the film business. David Logan dreamed up the screenplay of darkly comic thriller Circus while he was toiling away behind the counter of his local shop. Director Rob Walker, who shared an agent with Logan, read the script and responded immediately. "The story is such a rich mosaic filled with sharp funny references," enthuses Walker.

Producer Alan Latham, who came on board when Walker sent him the script, puts Logan's script squarely in Tarantino territory, describing it as "putting Miami into Brighton, giving it a European/US feel". But when Latham and producing partner James Gibb set out to find backers, they discovered this transatlantic slant was a double-edged sword. "Initially British companies said the story was too convoluted," says Gibb. "But the project soon generated heat with several US studios showing interest. In the end Columbia beat off the opposition."

The script's distinctive style also helped bring on board John Hannah to star as the lead Leo, a conman who masterminds one last scam. "When I first read it," says Hannah, "I had no idea what was going on, but it was brilliant." His early commitment to the film helped get it off the ground. Leo's glamorous wife, Lily, is Famke Janssen, whose international career took off with GoldenEye. Other casting decisions were more offbeat, including British entertainer Brian Conley as a vicious gangster and comedian Eddie Izzard at a sadistic loan shark.

Circus shot on location in Brighton and around London, and at Shepperton Studios in spring last year. It was released in the UK in May this year.

Synopsis

Clean centres on an unlikely friendship between Denny, a rent boy, and Bobby, a public toilet cleaner. Bobby resists the outside world by obsessively cleaning his surroundings and cleansing himself. His desensitised state of mind is awakened by Denny's hedonistic world of sex, drugs and money.

Synopsis

On July 6th 1953 in Maine USA, a controversial Austrian born scientist by the name of Wilhelm Reich claimed he could make rain using a machine he called - The Cloudbuster. The film attempts to re-enact a 24 hour period in which Reich tested his rain machine in order to assist some blueberry farmers whose crops were caught in a drought.

Synopsis

A true story. In July 1953 in Maine, controversial Austrian-born scientist Wilhelm Reich claimed he could make rain using a machine he called the Cloudbuster.

Synopsis

Alex is desperate to become a reporter; Jon and Marta Henley (the "cold fish" of the title) are a jaded pair of shock video artists playing games with violent images. When the ambitious Alex gains an exclusive interview with the Henleys, his attempts to further his career draw him into their dangerous world.

David Fairman's Cold Fish may sound like a thriller, but it claims a higher ambition: bringing to light the issues of violence and the role of the media. It also draws for its themes on the huge amount of attention and interest generated by young British artists such as Damien Hirst and Chris Ofili. The film, scripted by first-time writers Graham Christie and PJ Swinburne, controversially uses real news and documentary images of actual death and violence to depict the Henleys' sensational video art.

Synopsis

In any bar, in any town, there is a war going on. Its ammunition is lust, disgust, cruelty and compassion - all fuelled by alcohol, perfume and testosterone.

Synopsis

Family high action adventure, aka 'Rebel Zone', features the rescue of hostages and gold bullion seized by armed terrorists led by a maritime Rebel Warlord. Royal Naval Frigate 'HMS Monarch', despatches a Royal Marine detail to track and confront the enemy at their tropical island HQ.

Synopsis

Local newspaper journalist, Cameron Colley, is setting the world to rights; his articles are idealistic, written from the viewpoint of the underdog. A twisted serial killer seems to have the same motives; his murders are committed on behalf of the underdog. The two stories begin to merge and Cameron finds himself inextricably and inexplicably implicated by the brutal killer. The arms dealer Cameron plans to expose is found literally 'disarmed' before he can put pen to paper. The brewery chief, loathed by Cameron, who sold up at the expense of his workers, finds himself permanently unemployable. And the malpractising doctor and corrupt newspaper proprietor meet with similarly sinister ends. The police are convinced of Cameron's guilt and so are half his friends and colleagues. Cameron is forced to employ all his investigative skills to find the real killer and his motive.
 
Based on Iain Banks novel "Complicity".

Synopsis

A repressed composer finds that the nature of his music changes completely when he is disturbed by the sound of a couple making love in the next room.

Synopsis

Two lonely-hearted 'web pals' are amazed when their computers seemingly fall in love. They are forced to take the love struck consoles on a quirky double-date of picnics, river boat trips and bizarre restaurants. Eventually, true love blossoms - but for which couple?

Synopsis

Two 'web pals' are amazed when their computers seem to fall in love. They take the love-struck consoles on a double-date and love blossoms - but for whom?

Synopsis

Using a revolutionary micro-camera with a macro facility we see ways in which the abuse of the body can be seen as either a part of everyday life or as a shocking violation.