Left Bank Pictures
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| Left Bank Pictures | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private limited |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Andy Harries |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Key people | Andy Harries Jenny Borgars Francis Hopkinson Margio Kehoe |
| Industry | Film and television production |
Left Bank Pictures is a British film and television production company formed in 2007 by Andy Harries, formerly controller of drama, comedy and film at Granada Productions. The company is the first British media company to receive investment from BBC Worldwide, the commerical venture of the BBC; BBC Worldwide took a 25% in Left Bank in exchange for first-look distribution rights on all television productions.
The company operates both television and film production departments, headed by Jenny Borgars (formerly of the UK Film Council) and Francis Hopkinson (formerly senior commissioning editor of Channel 4 drama) respectively. The head of production is Margio Kehoe, who worked with Harries at Granada. Harries—the majority shareholder—holds the position of managing director. Helen Jackson from BBC Worldwide also sits on the company board. The company is based in London, England.
Contents |
[edit] Key personnel
- Andy Harries, managing director and majority shareholder.
- Francis Hopkinson, head of film productions.
- Jenny Borgars, head of television productions.
- Margio Kehoe, head of production.
[edit] Films in development
- The Damned United, adapted by Peter Morgan from David Peace's bestselling novel, The Damned Utd is due to begin filming in May 2008.[1]
- Freedom from Fear, a biopic of Aung San Suu Kyi, to be written by Rebecca Frayn, adapted from Suu Kyi's works.[2]
- The Special Relationship, the third part of Peter Morgan's "Blair trilogy", focusing on Tony Blair's relationship with U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Michael Sheen will reprise his role as Blair, which he originated in The Deal in 2003.[3]
- The Fattest Man, a comedy to be written by Caroline Aherne about the fattest man in Britain.[4]
- Gaza, a drama to star Helen Mirren as a woman living in the Gaza Strip whose son is killed.[5]
- Rafta Rafta, adapted by Ayub Khan-Din from his play of the same name.[6]
[edit] Television in development
- Wallander, adapted from Henning Mankell's Inspector Wallander novels, three films were commissioned in 2007 for the BBC, with Kenneth Brannagh confirmed as Kurt Wallander.[7]
[edit] Ventures
In January 2008, Left Bank took a 15% stake in struggling production company Hardy & Sons, with a view to relaunching it as a drama and documentary production unit with BBC Worldwide.[8]
[edit] Reaction
Left Bank was the first British production house to receive investment from BBC Worldwide and there was some concern that there was a conflict of interest for the publicly-funded BBC; in The Guardian, Steve Hewlett wrote that the deal was a "back-door way of getting around the rules preventing the BBC producing programmes for its British rivals". Hewlett also commented that the investment might limit Left Bank's future prospects, as it was "tied to" the BBC.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ Dawtrey, Adam. "Sony scores 'Damned United'", Variety, 2008-04-24. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ Thomas, Liz. "Left Bank plans £5m Myanmar film", Broadcast, 2008-02-08.
- ^ Harries, Andy. (2007-04-27). Andy Harries, Coventry Conversations, 25th April (MP3). Coventry University Podcasting Service. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ West, Dave. "'Royle' pair reuniting for comedy film", Digital Spy, 2008-02-08. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ Jaafar, Ali. "Helen Mirren to star in Gaza drama", Variety, 2007-05-31. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ Dawtrey, Adam. "Optimum to remake 'Brighton Rock'", Variety (magazine), 2008-05-15. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
- ^ Hemley, Matthew. "Branagh to play Swedish detective Wallander", The Stage, 2008-01-10. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ BBC Press Office (2008-01-21). "BBC Worldwide, Hardy & Sons and Left Bank Pictures unveil three-way venture". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- ^ Hewlett, Steve. "Media FAQ", The Guardian, 2007-05-14. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
- BBC Press Office (2007-05-10). "Announcing LEFT BANK PICTURES a unique collaboration of film & television talent". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
