Northern Soul
03-Feb-08
A dynamic Yorkshire-based, company aims to make Yorkshire a feature film-making hub in the UK. The company’s debut feature — the Anglo-Indian rom-com ‘Quick, Slip Me A Bride’ — is intended for a worldwide audience but yet carefully targets the massive Asian market. With stars such as Ross Kemp, Amanda Holden and Bollywood star Bipasha Basu attached, expectations are high.
The award-winning Eyeline Productions has been producing films for over a decade. From cutting edge music videos to corporate and educational work, their versatility and professionalism has earned them a solid reputation both locally and internationally.
However, founder Raza Mallal has long felt that — as far as feature film production was concerned — there was an unjustifiable imbalance with the British film industry so rooted in the South. And even when the occasional ‘Northern’ film appeared — like ‘The Full Monty’ — it reflected a stereotypical perception of how it was assumed Northerners lived. His response? In early 2006, he expanded the exsisting corporate and documentaries company Eyeline Productions, by setting up Talking Lens Productions Ltd to help concentrate feature film making in the region.
Talking Lens Productions’ main agenda is to develop a sustainable feature film industry within Yorkshire. By producing movies locally that appeal both critically and commercially, the company plans to boost the region’s film industry economically and creatively. As such, the bulk of the crew and the entire cast beyond the leading roles are to be recruited from the region. Raza is determined to make films that ‘inform and educate but, most importantly, entertain, so you leave the cinema having enjoyed a moving experience’. In other words, cinema which we can all relate to and that can rightly anticipate healthy box office success. Talking Lens has a slate of feature films at various stages of development. The first of which is the romantic comedy ‘Quick, Slip Me A Bride’ presently in pre-production. and due to start filming in the spring of 2008.
The story follows the life of Jack, the son of a retiring priest, who must take his father’s place should he not find a wife within 28 days. Jack decides that the only way to avoid impending priesthood is to have an arranged marriage with an Indian girl!
The film was written and will be directed by Raza Mallal, who has enjoyed great success and critical acclaim as a filmmaker ever since his first drama ‘Easy Money’ won the Prix Du Salamander in 1989 and the Bronze Dragon in Kracow. Since then, he has worked on a range of films and television productions with performers such as Richard Wilson, Rik Mayall and Lenny Henry.
‘Quick Slip Me a Bride’ is the first ever Anglo-Indian crossover movie to be produced in Yorkshire. Bollywood superstar, Bipasha Basu, will play the female lead in her first Western role. This has been a long time coming, following the phenomenal box office success of her Indian features including ‘Dhoom: 2’ and ‘No Entry’. She will be starring in two Hollywood productions later in the year.
Not only is the attachment of Bipasha a major coup for the production in terms of the large UK Asian population that it will attract, but it also guarantees box office success in the India – the largest market for film in the world, where ticket and DVD sales outgross even the United States.
A great ensemble British cast includes Robert Hardy as Donald, Jack’s outspoken priest father. Robert has been a regular on UK television since his role in ‘All Creatures Great & Small’, one of Britain’s longest running television series. He has appeared in such classic films as ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Sense & Sensibility’, and has most recently starred in the Harry Potter movies.
Another big name — who Raza was delighted to welcome to the cast — is Ross Kemp, playing a bumbling private detective. Ross famous for his role in ‘EastEnders’ as Grant Mitchell, has presented such hit shows as ‘Ultimate Force’. However his crowning achievement is probably his recent BAFTA-winning series ‘Ross Kemp On Gangs’.
Also in the film is Amanda Holden, who enjoyed great success in numerous prime time series’ such as ‘Wild at Heart’, ‘Cutting It’, ‘Mad About Alice’, ‘Hearts & Bones’ and ‘The Grimleys’. She is also a celebrity judge on the hit series ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
Additional Indian talent includes Anupam Kher, who is popular with UK audiences following his success in ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ and ‘Bride & Prejudice’.
Another star attached is Kulvinder Ghir, a household name in the UK through his awardwinning hit television series ‘Goodness Gracious Me’.
Jack’s best friend and guide in the film is Ewen MacIntosh, who shot to fame in his role as Keith in ‘The Office’. He is known for his comic abilities and is a rising star on the British comedy circuit. Jack’s love rival is Nick Brown, who has just completed touring with Shilpa Shetty on the musical extravaganza ‘Miss Bollywood’. Nick now has several high profile features in development following his triumphant stints on London’s West End.
Multi-talented, London-based singer and actress Karen David is not only appearing in the film, but also contributing a song for the soundtrack. Karen recently worked with Aishwarya Rai on ‘Provoked’ and later this year has a further two features on release, the Terry Pratchett adaptation, ‘The Colour Of Magic’ and, most notably, a co-starring role in Russell Mulcahy’s (‘Highlander’, ‘Resident Evil: Extinction’) Hollywood feature. ‘Scorpion King: Rise Of Akkadian’.
The soundtrack will feature a number of classic tracks by Ike & Tine Turner, The Foundations, Bonnie Tyler and The Chi-Lites, including new versions with a Bollywood remix. As well as original compositions by Mauli and other local artists, the official soundtrack will provide a further revenue stream as it will be available to buy online and in shops prior to the film’s release later this year.
Talking Lens intend to launch the film with extensive PR during this year’s Cannes film festival and expect it to feature at prominent festivals before a worldwide theatrical release.
For further information — or if you are interested getting involved with this exciting venture in any capacity – see the website: www.quickslipmeabrideco.uk or email info@talkinglens.co.uk
