Ewan McGregor has signed on to star in the futuristic thriller “Franklyn,” shooting next summer in the U.K. First-time writer-director Gerald McMorrow, will make his helming debut on the film set simultaneously in contemporary London and in a future metropolis where there is no separation between church and state. It’s the story of four lost souls, – Esser, Milo, Emillia, and Preest – divided by two parallel worlds, on course for a cataclysmic collision when a single bullet will decide all their fates.Preest is a masked vigilante detective, searching for his nemesis on the streets of Meanwhile City; a monolithic fantasy metropolis ruthlessly governed by faith and religious fervor. Esser is a broken man, searching for his wayward son amongst the rough streets of London’s homeless. Milo is a heartbroken thirty-something desperately trying to find a way back to purity of first love. Emilia is a beautiful art student, her suicidal art projects are becoming increasing more complex and deadly. Reality hasn’t got a prayer. Source: www.productionweekly.comMcGregor lands in futureThesp to star in McMorrow-helmed picEwan McGregor has signed on to star in “Franklyn,” a futuristic British movie by first-time writer-director Gerald McMorrow. Jeremy Thomas will produce.Hanway Films will handle worldwide sales for the project, shooting next summer in the U.K.Pic is a split narrative set simultaneously in contemporary London and in a future metropolis ruled by religious fervor. It’s the story of four lost souls, divided by two parallel worlds, on course for an explosive collision when a single bullet will decide all their fates.McMorrow is a commercials director whose surreal sci-fi short film “Thespian X” won the TCM Classic Shorts prize in 2002.Visual effects will be created by London-based f/x house Double Negative. Source: www.variety.com

by Andrew ClarkeNovember 1, 2006It may have a slightly erotic, come-hither, title but to East Anglian film-makers Ed Blum and Aschlin Ditta, Scenes of a Sexual Nature, their debut movie together, is a gentle, poignant – and above all funny – look at the lives of seven couples who pass by one another on Hampstead Heath.It’s obviously an opinion shared by most of Britain’s acting luminaries because, based on the quality of the script alone, Ewan McGregor, Adrian Lester (Hustle), Catherine Tate, Hugh Bonneville, Gina McKee (Notting Hill), Benjamin Whitrow (Pride and Prejudice), Eileen Atkins, Douglas Hodge (Red Cap), Mark Strong (Syriana), Polly Walker (Rome), Andrew Lincoln (This Life) and Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) all signed up to take parts in the film for Equity minimum wages and with no financing for the film in place.Newmarket-born director Ed Blum is still is state of shock. He says that with two weeks before filming began, they had virtually no cast and no money. Hugh Bonneville was the first to come on board, then Gina McKee, then Ewan McGregor and Douglas Hodge – who were then appearing in Guys and Dolls together at the Piccadilly Theatre.Ed remembers the moment when he took the phone call which told him that Ewan, Britain’s biggest contemporary movie star, had committed to his debut feature. “It took a minute or two for the news to sink in. Then I put the phone down and just started jumping up and down.”Source: www.edp24.co.ukThanks to Roberta for the link

9TH ANNUAL BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS ANNOUNCE NOMINATIONS AND JURY TODAY AT SOHO HOUSEIn its ninth year, the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) has established itself as one of the most important awards ceremonies in the British film industry and is regarded as a kick-off to the Awards Season. BIFA prides itself on providing a platform for up and coming talent and this year has increased the number of nominations in the Most Promising Newcomer Category as there was so much talent to choose from. BIFA is also excited to unveil its new jury, comprised of professionals and talents from across the British film industry.BIFA are proud to announce the following nominees for this year’s awards:THE RAINDANCE AWARDSPONSORED BY RAINDANCEThe Ballad of AJ WebermanLondon to BrightonScenes of a Sexual NatureClick here for the full list.Patrons of BIFA include Tilda Swinton, Ray Winstone, Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Samantha Morton, Bill Nighy, Trudie Styler, Meera Syal and Michael Winterbottom.Source: www.bifa.org.uk

Scenes of a Sexual Nature opens this Friday (3 November) in the UK (click here for full list of cinemas).Tony of Tin Pan Films sent us a note:We are up against the Majors and their films – backed by millions, compared to our measly £260k budget – so any form of support (including dragging your friends into cinemas physically!) is appreciated.And, this weekend means a lot to us. If 20,000 people see the film this weekend, we qualify (and only then!) for funding from the Film Council to help us reach more cinemas.Hope you can give us a hand!TonyTin Pan Films