Projects

Synopsis

A modern urban fairytale, Kingdom is the story of an accountant (Simon Kirk) who unwittingly stumbles on a centuries-old plan by a duplicitous feudal lord (Peter Campbell-Orde) to claim the crown of a kingdom ruled by dragons.

With its ambitious mix of live action and complicated computer-generated images, Kingdom is a tribute to writer-director Kenneth D Barker's perseverance and resourcefulness. Determined to make a film that would stand out from the crowd of Tarantino-wannabes and have a wide consumer appeal, he decided to shoot the film on digital video directly for the video sell-through market because it would be quick and cheap. He teamed up with model-maker and special-effects designer Gary Rowntree, who suggested combining rod-controlled puppetry with CGI to create the dragons.

By spring 1998 cast and crew were in place and Barker sent out a business plan to potential investors via the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels. Barely 10 days before principal photography was due to start, an anonymous businessman came forward with enough cash to see the film through to post-production.

The film, which, with its images of dragons flying over the Leeds skyline, certainly seems to fulfil Barkers original aim, is available to order from Barker's website www.wotr.co.uk. He is now working on two projects which he will write and produce - the period sci-fi The Last Great Adventure and the futuristic 2642AD.

Synopsis

Set in 1936, Ladies in Lavender is the charming and sweetly melancholic story about two ageing spinster sisters whose peaceable Cornwall existence is disrupted when they take a young man into their care - and their hearts.
 
 

Synopsis

During an endurance event to win a car, Gene falls in love with fellow competitor Tracey. But will she come along with him for the ride?
 

Synopsis

Layer Cake, a metaphor for the many murky layers of the criminal world, is set in modern day London and features smooth-talking and sophisticated drug dealer 'X' whose plan is to quietly bank-roll enough cash to retire young (early). Operating under the polished veneer of a legitimate businessman, his mantra is to keep a low profile and run a tight operation until it's time to get out. 
 
'X' sees his opportunity to make a final score when crime boss, Jimmy Price, asks him to find the wayward daughter of rival crime boss, Eddy Temple. He agrees to take the seemingly innocuous gig as his opportunity to get out of the business with the blessing from Jimmy Price. From the glitz of the London club scene to the underbelly of its criminal world, a dark, twisted thriller ensues. 
 
When a seemingly straight-forward drug deal goes awry, 'X' realises he has to break his die-hard rules and turn up the heat, not only to outwit the old regime and come out on top but to save his own skin.

Synopsis

Set in a public swimming pool, this comical animated film features a timid young woman and her struggle to swim just - one - length.

Synopsis

There's a story behind every life.

Synopsis

Imagine what it must feel like to be forced to leave everything you know and love in order to stay alive. This was the situation for Jean Baptiste, a journalist in Rwanda. Letters Home is a poignant and very personal portrayal of his experiences since arriving in England as a refugee, through his letters home to his family.

Synopsis

Marc Isaacs sets himself up in an East End of London tower block lift with his camera and waits for new residents to reveal their lives. The result is both funny and moving. Sometimes the residents ignore him. One of them offers him food and a lady sticks holy pictures above his head.

Synopsis

At school, Rick, aged 6, paints a lion green and is rebuked. At home with his mother, Rick discovers his colour-blindness. Back at school, Rick cheats to paint a fire-engine red. Despite the teacher's praise, he sabotages his work with crazy colours. His classmates gleefully follow suit.

Synopsis

The story concerns life at a spiritual retreat where a man and a woman encounter one another whilst searching for their own inner peace.
 
The values of the house require that they do not speak. Their relationship becomes painfully complicated as a result.
 
Listening is a poignant, bittersweet romance.

Synopsis

Teachers! - Exhausted by kids who will only pay attention to what they are interested in? Tired of having your entire class disrupted by one cheeky brat? 'Nurilin' is the quick fix you need to deal with disruptive children. It's easy to administer and completely painless - use it for their sake. Available from your local chemist or by mail order.

Synopsis

Martin goes down the pub to meet friends for an innocent drink, but soon it is clear that he hides a guilty secret. Will his friends still be his friends when they uncover it? This is the morale tale: Stand up for yourself, and you may pull a bird.