Directed by Steve M Kelly Written by Si Fantauzzo

Transcription

Directed by Steve M Kelly
Written by Si Fantauzzo
City Rats Ltd. 212 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HG
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
Face Films Ltd. 6 Reydon Ave, Wanstead, London E11 2JD
Produced by William Borthwick & Dean Fisher
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E: [email protected] Registration Number 630706
E [email protected]
W www.facefilms.com Registration Number 6306992
Scanner-Rhodes Productions Ltd. 19 Ewellhurst Road, Ilford, Essex, IG5 0PE T +44 (0)20 8924 7219 E [email protected]
W www.scanner-rhodes.co.uk Registration Number 4910996
CONTENTS
WHO WE ARE
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2
CAST
3
SYNOPSIS
7
COMPANY HISTORIES
8
COMPANY DIRECTORS
PRODUCERS
PRODUCTION COMPANIES
BOARD OF ADVISORS
DIRECTOR
WRITER
1
1
1
1
1
1
CITY RATS
2
TAMER HASSAN – JIM
RAY PANTHAKI – DEAN
DANNY DYER - PETE
KENNY DOUGHTY – OLLY
SUSAN LYNCH – GINA
MYANNA BURRING - SAMMY
JAMES LANCE - CHRIS
NATASHA WILLIAMS - CAROL
OTHER NOTABLE CAST
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
CITY RATS
7
FACE FILMS LTD
SCANNER-RHODES PRODUCTIONS LTD
8
9
CREW
10
OVERVIEW
14
DIRECTOR’S VISION
15
OFFICE
18
PRODUCER: WILLIAM BORTHWICK
PRODUCER: DEAN FISHER
DIRECTOR: STEVE M KELLY
WRITER: SI FANTAUZZO
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM LEVINS
SOUND, MUSIC & POST SOUND SUPERVISOR: MARK MACLAINE
EDITOR & POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR: BEN KING
CASTING DIRECTOR: KATE PLANTIN
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
GENRE
TARGET AUDIENCE
COMPARISON FILMS
14
14
14
STEVE KELLY (APRIL 2007)
15
CITY RATS LTD
CONTACTS
18
18
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
WHO WE ARE
COMPANY DIRECTORS Facefilms.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
William Borthwick
Script Adviser
Julie Rutterford
Adam Levins
Casting Director
Kate Plantin
Ben King
Scanner-Rhodes Mark Maclaine
Dean Fisher
PRODUCERS
DIRECTOR
William Borthwick
Steve M Kelly
+44 (0)7939842963
[email protected]
Dean Fisher
WRITER
Si Fantauzzo
+44 (0)7973 320 235
PRODUCTION COMPANIES
Scanner-Rhodes Productions Ltd.
19 Ewellhurst Road
Ilford
Essex IG5 0PE
Tel: +44 (0)20 8924 7219
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.scanner-rhodes.co.uk
Registration Number: 4910996
Facefilms Ltd.
6 Reydon Ave
Wanstead
London
E11 2JD
Tel: + 44 (0)7939842963
Urban Way Productions Ltd.
46a Marlborough Road
London N22 8NN
Web. www.facefilms.com
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY RATS
City Rats is a witty and provocative black comedy
full of outrageous social comment. It carefully
addresses contemporary issues such as sexuality,
disability, ethnicity, love, life and death.
City Rats blend of stories and characters gives it a
highly marketable demographic. The London
theme is in fact very rare among most London
productions, which opt for the unrealistic RomCom
fairy tale look. Based in the gritty melting-pot of
London’s East End and the vibrant central Soho
gay scene, we follow the exploits of a handful of
everyday people in the capital city of the world.
The rich and original material has had seasoned
directors literally competing to direct it. With the
incorporation of a talented and reputable casting
director, City Rats is tipped to draw a cast of the
highest calibre from both sides of the Atlantic.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
2
CAST
TAMER HASSAN – JIM
Tamer has come along way from his roots in South London turning in notable
performances in TV and Film. Playing the lead role in Sex Actually with Rik Mayal,
Tamar followed this with a leading role in The Ferryman starring alongside Jonathon
Rhys Davis and Kerri Fox.
He has appeared in Nick Love's film The Business and The football Factory;
Unleashed co-starring with Bob Hoskins, Jet Li and Morgan Freeman; the blockbuster
Batman Begins; and Matthew Vaughn's box office hit Layer Cake along side Daniel
Craig.
He co-starred with Orlando Bloom in the British cult film The Calcium Kid playing a
psychotic boxer; and working with Ken Stott, Jack Dee and Nick Moran in Spivs
playing one of the leads Mr Viias.
TV credits include Eastenders, Casualty, The Bill, Judge John Deed and Granada's huge TV drama, Kill City. He recently
completed filming on David Cronenberg’s Eastern Promises playing the role of Chechen alongside Viggo Mortensen and
Naomi Watts.
RAY PANTHAKI – DEAN
Best known for his role as Ronny Ferreira in Eastenders Ray made a move into film
with performances in the hit British films 28 Days Later, Ali G Indahouse, Tube Tales,
Bollywood Queen, Provoked and the 2005 cult office hit Kidulthood.
For his role as a homeless heroin addict in the controversial movie The Feral
Generation he lived on the streets of London with director Andrew Jones.
At the prestigious TMA Theatre Awards he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor
in a Play for his role in Gladiator Games and has recently set up his own Londonbased production company Urban Way.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
DANNY DYER - PETE
Danny was born in Canning Town, East London on 24th July 1977. At the age of 14
he won the role of Martin Fletcher in the acclaimed Granada Television series Prime
Suspect working along side Helen Mirren. Following this Danny starred in Cadfael, A
Touch of Frost and Loved Up and turned in two notable performances as Alec in
Central Television's Thief Takers, and as Gary Fox in Carlton's award winning series
Soldier Soldier.
Dyer’s first major film appearance came when he landed the role of Moff in British cult
classic Human Traffic and he has since starred in all four films by the British Director
Nick Love: Goodbye Charlie Bright, The Football Factory, The Business and Outlaw.
As one of the most recognised London actors Danny is also a seasoned theatre actor,
treading the boards in both London and New York in a number of high-profile productions, including Harold Pinter's No
Man's Land and Peter Gill's Certain Young Men.
KENNY DOUGHTY – OLLY
Although Kenny has been a professional actor for over 15 years, his reputation and
ability continues to rocket internationally. Kenny has recently played leading roles along
side Stephen Graham in Adrian Vitoria's outlaws, Michael Graham's Irreversi and The
Empresses new clothes all due to be released in 2008. Kenny is also the new face of
Shameless in the next series.
After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1997, Kenny
appeared in Michael Winterbottom's I Want You and in Julie Taymor's epic production
of Titus, starring alongside Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange and Alan Cumming.
In 2001 Kenny starred as Jed Willis in the romantic comedy Crush alongside Andie
MacDowell and Imelda Staunton and met and married his wife, Caroline Carver after
starring in My first Wedding together. Television appearances include the role of Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, the
drama Anorak of Fire and as Joe Orton in the acclaimed comedy-drama Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa starring alongside
Michael Sheen.
He has also starred in many other leading roles as 'Hans Vassman' in The Aryan Couple, Pitt in The Great Raid and Sir
Thomas Eliot in the oscar winning Elizabeth.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
SUSAN LYNCH – GINA
The youngest of five children, Susan showed early promise as an actress after winning
the Kenneth Branagh Renaissance Award for most Promising Student at the Central
School of Speech and Drama. After starring in TV’s Cracker and winning acclaim for
her role in The Secret of Roan Inish, Susan went onto star in the widely lauded Waking
Ned and appeared alongside Rachel Weisz in Beautiful Creatures.
She also played the role of Rachel alongside Daniel Craig, Samantha Morton and Rhys
Ifans in the adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel Enduring Love. In 2000 she won an Irish
Film and Television award as best actress for her starring role as James Joyce’s wife
in Nora.
MYANNA BURRING - SAMMY
Myanna was born and raised in Sweden but moved to Britain at an early age. She
graduated from LAMDA in 2004 and was published in the Guardians top 10 graduates
of the year. Since then she has had a steadily climbing career both in film and
television.
Myanna landed her first lead feature role in Neil Marshals ‘The Descent’. Since then
she has played the lead in the horror ‘Credo’ and more recently the second female
lead, alongside Rona Mitra, Malcolm McDowell and Bob Hoskins in Universal studios
‘Doomsday’.
JAMES LANCE - CHRIS
After years on the scene james in known a respected figure on the British Television
circuit. James has also appeared in several feature films including Sophia Cappola’s
‘Marie Antoinette’. He is currently on our screens in ITV’s Moving Wallpaper, as a writer
to the infamous soap “ECO Beach”. Known for his appearances in a string of British
comedy series. Other roles include dealer Sticky in the drug-related series Top Buzzer,
Matt in two series of Teachers, Ben in the first series of I'm Alan Partridge, Jamie in
Absolute Power and various roles in the sketch show Smack the Pony. He also played
Richard, Daisy's boyfriend, in Spaced. Lance has also had roles in the British films Late
Night Shopping and The Search
For John Gissing the recent mini-series The Impressionists (as Bazille) and the sitcoms The Book Group, Sensitive Skin and
Rescue Me. Smaller roles have included appearances in 2 point 4 Children, People Like Us, Saxondale and Absolutely
Fabulous. Recently seen playing the character of Mr. Hugo in the pilot episode of Biffovision, as well as featuring alongside
Mark Heap and Tim Key in another Paul Rose -penned pilot, "Now The Weather"
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
NATASHA WILLIAMS - CAROL
Natasha might be best known for her role as PC Delia French in the long running UK
ITV series “The Bill” and more recently in the new Doctor Who series playing the role of
a Pharmacist in the Episode “Gridlock”. Her credits include parts in “Doctors”, “Holby
City”, “Eastenders”, “The Last Detective”, “Nighty Night”, “Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Rose & Maloney”, “Grease Monkeys” and “Silent City”.
OTHER NOTABLE CAST
JAKE CANUSO
JAMES DOHERTY
KATHERINE DE KANDOLE
VYELLE CROOM
KEIR MILLS
MARCO
TREVOR
CHLOE
DARYLL
KYLE
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
6
SYNOPSIS
CITY RATS
A film about how life isn't like it is in the movies.
Eight haunted people meet and fall apart - looking for redemption in
each other.
Jim is throwing watermelons off his office roof. He's testing the effect
for a possible suicide. But then there is Sammy on an adjacent roof
about to jump herself. They meet, delay their departure and set off
searching for other ways out than down.
Sammy's ex-boyfriend, Dean, is struggling with his creativity. His
paintings are getting panned and his poetry ripped apart. He needs a
muse - and who better than Gina, the experimental prostitute with
dodgy legs who lives next door. However, Dean soon finds out that
Gina never does anything for free.
After a short fling with Dean, Olly is lost in a world of sexual confusion
when forced to look after his deaf-mute brother Chris for the day. Olly
discovers that not only does Chris has gay feelings too, but is more
comfortable with them than he is. They embark on a searing quest
through Soho's gay community to help Chris loose his virginity.
But no-one has more to hide than oldest brother Pete. He's being
stalked by Carol, a timid old lady looking for her son - a guy Pete knew
from his violent drug days. Fearfully Pete opens his frozen heart to
Carol and they begin a treacherous journey to the woods to find her
lost son.
By the end, each lost soul finds a solution in darkness or in light.
Connections are made or missed and longed-for families brought
together for a moment of hope.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
COMPANY HISTORIES
FACE FILMS LTD
Face Films was founded in 2005 to put a face to an increasing number of films being produced at the time. The company
aims to create high quality feature films with a familiar crew - who have to-date worked on nearly forty productions together
ranging from drama, commercials and pop promos to film festivals and live music events. Our company ethos is to "change
the face of British cinema", by producing marketable and successful films on a global scale that are not financially dependent
on major Hollywood organisation for distribution and exhibition. To achieve this we will employ new digital technologies, and
support and collaboration with already established UK organisations with whom we have strong connections - like the New
Producers Alliance and British Film Council.
In 2005, Facefilms successfully won the contract to support and development NAHEMI (National Association of Higher
Education in the Moving Image) patroned by Sir David Puttnam. We are now in our fourth year of development which
involves web development, enrollment of new and continuing members and an annual 3 day exhibition at the National Film
Theatre. See www.nahemi.org
Over the past few years Facefilms has produced a steady flow of music videos due to contracts with Halo records and
Universal Productions UK - promoting artists such as Jynxt (MTV's "Keep it in the Family") which reached no.2 in the MSN
video chart and Second Person (MTV2, Cobra Beer advert and recent winner of Sellaband.com). We have also produced
test commercials for Oxy hygiene products.
Their award winning short films include "Initiation" (2003) which won the BBC Bristol Student film competition as well as best
script, best directing and second place at The Filton International film festival. In 2006, "The Passenger" staring David Tysall
and Robert Goodman (Gangs of New York, Joan of Arc the Messenger) was nominated for Time Out magazine's "London
Film of the Year." It has also recently reached the final in Kevin Spacey’s Triggerstreet.com online film festival, won the
Bournemouth Landcrab Film Festival in best drama and screened in over 10 international film festivals, including London's
"Raindance East." It has also been a featured piece in the prestigious Showreel magazine.
Facefilms is based in London and also has an HD Online/offline studio in Bristol. They also offer HD camera hire as well as a
seasoned and capable crew.
Scenes from "The Passenger" staring David Tysal and Robert Goodman.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
8
SCANNER-RHODES PRODUCTIONS LTD
Established in 1999 by Dean Fisher to develop and produce feature films for theatrical release and broadcast distribution.
Since then Scanner-Rhodes has produced a successful low budget feature film and marketed two successful award winning
short films and earned a reputation for being creative, fresh and resourceful in bringing groundbreaking film projects into
the mainstream.
We have maintained this balance through having close collaborative relationships with leading suppliers and actors and
award-winning crews. Scanner-Rhodes is committed to making excellent films for cinema, television broadcast and DVD
release whilst identifying and developing new and rising talent. The company's first film, Superstitious Minds starring Lucy
Russell (The Following; Batman Returns) was released in the UK by Channel 17 in June 2000. It was sold to Virgin Airlines
for their transatlantic flights and continued to show in different arenas, helping to mould the image of Scanner-Rhodes. Since
then, the company has made steady progress in establishing a reputation for producing high-quality, marketable films.
Our final short film production, Ten Minutes, launched the company into the international arena. The film successfully applied
all the ingredients and demands of a feature film to a short film structure and was successfully marketed using feature film
marketing and promotion techniques. Shot on 35mm, the film stars Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels),
Craig Charles (Red Dwarf), Terri Dwyer and Paul Danan (both Hollyoaks). The film was first screened at Bafta and then went
on to its international premiere at Cannes. Ten Minutes eventually appeared in 21 international film festivals, picking up
awards at Westfest in Texas for best original screenplay and best original music score. Festival highlights included
competition selection at Ourense, Soho Rushes, Raindance, Sarasota, Commonwealth, Med Film and the Canaries.
Following the success of Ten Minutes, Scanner-Rhodes produced a DVD, The
Short Filmmakers' Guide that is currently used in film schools across the UK,
France and America. Ten Minutes and the accompanying documentary Making A
Short on a Shoestring were both broadcast together in March 2006 on new freeto-air Sky channel Propeller.
In January 2006 Scanner-Rhodes Productions embarked on their first feature film
entitled Night Junkies. Night Junkies is a dark sexy, urban Vampire thriller with an
injection of Tarantino cool and ballistic action. Shot on HD on a micro budget of
£50,000 (the equivalent to one shot in a Harry Potter film) the film was shot at 3
Mills Studios and on location around the once frequented Jack The Ripper
Alleyway's. After receiving numerous offers, in November 2006, Night Junkies was
signed up by International sales agents Renegade Pictures and US domestic rep,
Strategic Film Partners. The film was recently launched at the Berlin Film Festival
where it has secured distribution to some major international territories and is also
in negotiations with a major US distributor.
With one sale to the US, Night Junkies has already broken even. Night Junkies was released in US in the Summer of 2007
by Allumination.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
9
CREW
PRODUCER: WILLIAM BORTHWICK
William has an MA in Film Production and has been producing in
film and television for the past five years. His experience covers
documentary, film, animation and sitcom for a variety of
companies including the BBC, Tiger Aspect, Eyeworks and
Talkback Thames. City Rats is his feature debut as a producer.
PRODUCER: DEAN FISHER
Dean is founder of Scanner-Rhodes productions and co-founder
of the highly acclaimed Highgate International Film Festival.
Working as a freelance producer/writer for the past six years he
has produced a number of shorts, a full-length documentary and
an award-winning short film Ten Minutes, screened at 21
international festivals.
In July 2006 Dean produced his first feature Night Junkies which
was released in the US, Summer 2007 by Allumination. City Rats
is Dean’s second feature, with three more slated for 2008
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
10
DIRECTOR: STEVE M KELLY
Steve is considered one of the UK’s leading Drama
Directors working on prime-time television films,
documentaries and commercials for some of Britain’s
top-rated companies. Recent work includes three
90min feature length Judge John Deeds, the acclaimed
BBC One Afternoon Film series Pieces of Silver Lining
and Singing Cactus.
In 2004 Steve won best episode at the Soap Awards for
Say a Little Prayer a feature length Doctors and was
nominated for Best Stunt and Best Director.
Nominations in 2005 include a RTS Best Drama and a
Distinction of Excellence for a series of Beer
commercials at the Marketing Society Awards. Steve
has a proven track record delivering the highest quality
British television drama and has been nominated for
awards in each genre. He has been waiting for a truly
dynamic and powerful script to make his cinematic
debut - City Rats is that compelling venture.
WRITER: SI FANTAUZZO
Si’s experience in the film industry has taken him
through many production roles, including Avid editing,
camera operation and script editing and his dedication
to film has earned him a BA Hons in Media Production
and an MA in Audio and Visual Media Production.
Si is a lecturer in Media studies and his short films have
won multiple awards in some of the UK’s most
respected film festivals. While early work has focused
on controversial subjects (including necrophilia), later
works reflect strong characterization in London-centric
plots with a unique style that can twist a series of subplots into some of the most intriguing convolutions of
story-line known to modern screenwriting. Si is
currently working on his first television series, Positive,
as well as various other scripts and projects, whilst
working as a director for as Sky TV channel.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
11
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
ADAM LEVINS
After training at the European Film College in
Denmark and gaining a Masters qualification at
Guildhall University in London, Adam has been
busy working for a slew of clients including
Sketchers, MTV and Pioneer to name a few. He has
been selected for several cinematography awards
including the Kodak Award for various shorts shot
on 35mm and 16mm.
With a strong working knowledge of the technical
yet still grounded in the creative and artistic side he
is able to see the bigger picture and steer projects
towards their full potential.
SOUND, MUSIC & POST SOUND SUPERVISOR: MARK MACLAINE
Mark has worked in many London recording studios alongside bands and producers and was a co-founder of the influential
and critically acclaimed Dented Records.
As an assistant producer for Garret Lee (U2, Snow Patrol, Kasabian etc) Mark is also an experienced ADR and Voice-Over
recordist supervising recordings with actors Charles Dance and Dennis Lawson and has mixed many films and their scores.
Credits include music and recording for the BBC, Channel 4, Snowsport Synergy Films, Xtreme Sports Channel, Ripcurl,
Sketchers and Oakley.
Marks’ band Second Person have enjoyed great success becoming the first band to reach their budget in sellaband.com
and have enjoyed huge MTV2 exposure.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
12
EDITOR & POST PRODUCTION
SUPERVISOR: BEN KING
Ben has spent the past 13 years as an offline and
online editor for TV and Film (Lightworks, Avid,
Media 100 & Final Cut Pro) utilising his graphics and
animation skills to do Digital FX, grading and
compositing.
He has worked on over 4000 projects directing,
editing and/or digital FX compositing and graphics
and his vast knowledge of graphics has enabled
him to produce media across the entire spectrum
from print to web to DVD, standard definition and
HiDef.
Most recently he has been working as senior editor on several BBC series such as Grime Scene Investigation (RDF for
BBC3), When Love Comes to Town (BBC Bristol for BBC1), Help me Anthea I’m Infested! (RDF for BBC3) and Oz & James’
Big Wine Adventure (RDF for BBC).
He is also working in collaboration with music bands such as Second Person, editing music videos and designing and
producing animations.
Ben is also a Moderator and Guru on one of the largest Final Cut Pro user groups: the Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group
or LAFCPUG: www.lafcpug.org
CASTING DIRECTOR: KATE PLANTIN
Kate has been casting for the last seventeen years having
previously worked in publishing and then for the BBC. Kate has
cast top names such as Thora Birch, Neve Campbell, Jonathan
Lynn, Brian Blessed, Gabriel Byrne and Billy Boyd. This year alone
Kate has cast Christopher Lee and Richard Attenborough.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
13
OVERVIEW
GENRE
Black Comedy / Drama
TARGET AUDIENCE
Males, female and couples of ages 19-60
COMPARISON FILMS
Magnolia, Scenes of a sexual nature, Closer,
Winterland, Leaving Las Vegas, American
Beauty, Shallow grave.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
14
DIRECTOR’S VISION
STEVE KELLY (APRIL 2007)
'Go! Fucking go!' Were the words screamed into the
cold dawn air as an SO 19 firearms squad crashed
through a front door in a Brixton street. They were
looking for a cop killer - this was personal and I was in
the eye of a storm as a young director armed only with a
video camera. They thundered through the house in a
gun flash. Officers pinned the residents to the ground as
the area was sealed. This was real, 100% real. I vowed
to myself that moment to make films that were so real,
so powerful and compelling that audiences could feel,
smell and taste the stories." I read City Rats and I knew I
had to make this modern classic. And I would make it
intensely funny, beautiful and bitingly real.
I've always wanted to explore a story that on one level is
beautifully simple and on another unmasks a Pandora's
box of human emotions. City Rats combines the
poignancy of American Beauty 1999 the complexities of
Magnolia 1999 and the quirky humour of Little Miss
Sunshine 2006. It's a funny, fresh and original film about
the psychological complexities of human relationships. It
explores the unique dilemmas of 8 Londoners under the
cloying atmosphere of the hottest and longest day of the
year with explosive consequences. This intense butterfly
effect rips across the characters unleashing their hopes,
fears and nightmares spiraling into a mesmerizing finale
in the dawning of a new day.
This is a Black Comedy cut from the finest traditions of the genre Dr. Strangelove 1964, Pulp Fiction 1994 or Death
Becomes Her 1992. It crackles with darkness, beauty and humour in equal measure.
From the first frame of the film the mundane boring stream of commuters is broken by the comical appearance of one
worker. Jim's holding a 8lb ripe water melon and is on a mission. His mission is suicide! Artist and Poet Dean has a creative
block. Which is so bad he can't even wank. He's a screwed up bisexual unable to reach a self styled orgasm and yet still
winds up playing a cowboy in another man's sexual fantasy.
The script's spell is cast yet further with gritty, real life characters tortured in their own private inferno. Carol fell pregnant to a
brain dead coma victim, "...He was so beautiful. He had to live on in some way...two days later I had to switch off the
machine...I hardly knew him." And there is so much beauty.
At 18, Chris is a comic book reading autistic mute. He's a shy, quiet and loving boy who craves to loses his virginity to
another man. His is an enchanting story of self-discovery in a silent world. Si's brilliant screenplay lifts the lid on the
gamut of the human condition. The simplicity of its emotional construction and story lines so perfectly captures real-life
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
15
people in everyday struggles. It stays true to the best black
comedies forcing us to laugh, cry and revel in the beauty of the
human soul.
I've always admired certain British films for their mix of rawness
and integrity of performances Winterland 1999. But so often
the cinematic story telling is purely functional. They can often
lack visual depth, thematic styles and feel hollow and cheap.
City rats will be a startling blend of performances with the
shooting flair of Requiem for a dream 2000 the pace of
Trainspotting 1996 and the ominous mood of 21 Grams 2003.
It has long been my contention that over rehearsed
performances are often dull and manufactured. I want the four
stories shot as four separate films each one taking just six days
to complete. We will shoot each story in order so the crew,
actors and story reach their climax with a powerful heighten
energy. In City Rats I am determined it should be spontaneous
and dangerous to perform. I will rehearse the actors separately
so they know their lines and who they are. But it must be the
camera that captures that unique moment of truth - the lifeblood for these powerfully dramatic themes.
In City Rats the visual interpretation will never supplant the
uncluttered narrative but will enhance the journey with depth,
breadth and beauty. The camera moves will be slick, stylish and
classic following the pitches and rolls of our characters private
journeys.
Although each story will have a subtle visual style and
personality of Sin City 2005 the film will obey a central
cinematic vision. All stories will use hand held techniques to lay
a subconscious message that these events are happening in real time. It will intensify the humour and drama giving the film a
genuine honesty.
The movie starts in London with wide-angle lenses capturing the sweeping vistas and views of the capital. This is where our
characters live, dream and die. But as the tempo of the film progresses rapidly through the long day into the night, the lenses
tighten inexorably, scene by scene.
The weather grows more oppressive, their emotional states more fractured and brittle. The frame hunts them down.
Panavision anamorphic long lenses drive us into a shallow depth of field the background melts away, moving us deeper into
their souls.
When night finally falls the stifling mood intensifies, the humidity and heat soar. Dialogue shots now search much closer on
to the eye-line. The camera now shoots over-shoulder the frames start to add a sense of pressure and constriction
2046-2006 and In The Mood For Love 2000. The plot lines cross and accelerate until the moment where each story stands
within a heart beat of climax.
Blinding arcs of light burst across as the dawning of a new day bathes the film in floods of cathartic light. Time suspends
each character's moves are now captured in slow motion. This is the moment of truth. Light flares into the following shots as
we slowly track-in... Jim stands on the edge of a skyscraper starring into oblivion... Olly jumps out of his car sobbing...Dean
reaches deep into his underpants... Pete checks his gun, his figure silhouetted from the rising sun as he walks toward his
destiny.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
But the moment Pete pulls his gun. The movie clicks into
overdrive. The shots now have an angled shutter effect. This
subconsciously places the audience into a heighten state of
clarity and awareness. The images are as crisp as the
characters state of mind. The colours grow more vivid in the
golden glare of first light. The sharpness nearly burns the eye.
Marco squints as he opens the door, blinded by the low sun.
From the second Pete pulls the trigger City Rats accelerates
compulsively reaching a breathless chilling climax.
In films it's always been vital to me that characters belong
somewhere. It defines them, shapes and moulds them.
London is a truly international city and yet is rarely if ever seen
as the central heart beat of any film. It's either a perfect haven
of middle class angst Notting Hill 1999 or the home of
gangland terror Lock Stock 1998. This film celebrates London.
I'm a Londoner born and bred and I love it. And I want to
infuse every frame of City Rats with its' onerous grime, noise,
life, death, hate, love, revenge, vibrancy, violence, sex,
perversity and danger!
Dog Day Afternoon 1975 and Insomnia 2001 brilliantly deployed the weather and light as if they were outside characters
infusing every scene with oppression and antagonism. In City Rats the film simmers and boils in the intense repressive heat
wave of the longest day of the year. Harsh light and intense shadow accentuate the crucible atmosphere of the four stories
supplying a common visual theme throughout the film. This is an integral and recurring mantra that design, lighting, wardrobe
and Make up will use to create an evocative atmosphere. The stench of sweat drips from the characters. Boring into their
souls. Flies buzz, traffic moans, fans splutter. There is no escape. This is London oppressive hot and cloyingly intense, as
seen in no other film.
The films grade will change gradually moving with the heat and character narratives. Exteriors will have the yellow glare of
Traffic 2000 where the interiors contrast with steely blue The Machinist 2004. Sharp light cuts from the window yielding
silhouettes and evocative rim lighting Man on Fire 2004. City Rats stands as a thrilling and heart rending Black Comedy that
is as emotionally rewarding as it is visually exciting. All set on one day, a day on which anything can happen and a night that
will change their lives forever.
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]
Office
CITY RATS LTD
212 Piccadilly
London
W1J 9HG
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 208 709 8724
Production Mobile: +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
CONTACTS
William Borthwick - Producer
Dean Fisher - Producer
Chris (James Lance) playing with the pigeons (picture top)
Pete (Danny Dyer) squaring up to Marco (Jake Canuso) (picture bottom) in “City Rats”
T +44 (0) 208 709 8724
M +44 (0) 77 37 64 39 18
T +44 (0)7939842963
E [email protected]

Directed by Steve M Kelly Written by Si Fantauzzo

Transcription

Similar documents

Click the picture above to a FREE Bingo quiz

Naqsh Short Films

Film quiz 12 May 2011

AVS24 2.4 GHZ Wireless Audio/Video Sender

presents - Program in Arts of the Moving Image

HEMINEVRIN - Alcohol and Alcoholism

THE CREATION OF MEANING - Press Kit

No trophy could ever fully express our

Chaise Lounge

Call for entries 2016