Upon being asked about the film, Harvey Weinstein commented that “Song for Marion is wildly amusing and is sure to charm audiences of all ages,” adding, “we’re thrilled to partner with Paul on his latest project and to showcase this dynamic cast. His success in this project stems from his knack for highlighting and harmonizing otherwise contradicting personality traits – in this case, funny and cantankerous – in his characters.”

Song for Marion is currently in post-production.

Source: http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/weinsteins-confirm-us-deal-on-song-for-marion/5034372.article, http://www.movieweb.com/news/song-for-marion-lands-at-the-weinstein-company

He’s virtually unknown in the U.S, but Paul Andrew Williams has been one of the rising stars of the British film industry for a few years now. His 2006 debut, the gritty, excellent drama “London To Brighton,” won him a BAFTA nomination and several newcomer awards (the film received a very brief U.S. release in 2008), and he seemed like one of the brightest talents around. He continues this success with his fourth film, which starts filming ten days from now, and has just landed an impressive cast.

For some time Williams has been developing a new project, “Song For Marion,” through his Steel Mill Pictures, with a script that made last year’s Brit List. Now, Baz Bamigboye reports that Terence Stamp, Vanessa Redgrave, Gemma Arterton, Christopher Ecclestone and Anne Reid (”The Mother,” “Hot Fuzz”) will all take roles in the film. Like the 2007 hit documentary “Young @ Heart,” the film centers around a choir of elderly people who cover contemporary pop songs.

Redgrave will play a cancer-stricken woman, the titular Marion, whose husband Arthur (Stamp), disapproves of her membership of the choir, led by Elizabeth (Arterton), a young music teacher, but finds himself warming up to it. Ecclestone will play James, their son, who has a difficult relationship with his father, while it looks like Reid will play Brenda, another member of the choir.

Producer Ken Marshall promises that the film will feature songs by Motorhead, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and Cyndi Lauper (the script also includes versions of songs by The Kinks, Oasis, Take That, Madonna and Salt & Pepa, although rights issues may have put a hold on some of these), and says that “Both Vanessa and Terence can sing, and each has a big solo number.”

We’ve had a look at a draft of the script, and considering that and the top-notch cast, if we were Harvey Weinstein we’d be snapping up the rights immediately; undoubtedly reminiscent of films like “Brassed Off,” “The Full Monty” and “Calendar Girls,” with a little Mike Leigh thrown in, it’s rather lovely, and in places very funny, but Williams also brings emotion that’s perhaps more raw than similar films to the table. Mark our words, given the giant success of the choir-based “Glee,” it’s got all the makings of a major sleeper hit, and Stamp has the kind of role that stinks of Oscar. Filming starts on July 18th in northeast England, so we’ll likely see this in the fall of 2012.

Source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/terence_stamp_vanessa_redgrave_gemma_arterton_lead_paul_andrew_williams_son/

Gemma Arterton and Christopher Eccleston also star in the film, Song for Marion, and North East extras are being sought to appear as audience members during a six-week shoot.

Locations in County Durham and Newcastle will be used in the film which highlight the increasing popularity of choral singing.

The story, written and directed by Paul Andrew White, is not set specifically in the North East but some of the accents might give the game away.

A choir of talented singers from the region, coached by Richard Scott who directs the Heaton Voices community choir in Newcastle, will feature in the film.

Song for Marion, described by film company Steel Mill Pictures as a “comedic drama”, features a couple in their 70s called Arthur and Marion, played by Stamp and Redgrave.

“Arthur must confront the undercurrents of his own grumbling persona as he embarks on a hilarious, life-affirming journey of musical self-discovery,” according to the publicity material, although the film also has a tragic theme.

Eccleston plays Arthur’s son James, with whom he has a difficult relationship, while Arterton plays choir director Elizabeth.

Newcastle-based agency Northern Film & Media invited the film-makers to the North East for reconnaissance trips earlier in the year.

Gayle Woodruffe, production service manager at Northern Film & Media, said: “I think filming in the North East will give them the sense of community they are looking for. The film could be set anywhere but it needs to be a place with a real sense of community.”

Reported by The Journal 16th July 2011

Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/07/16/song-for-marion-film-begins-shooting-in-the-north-east-61634-29063374/#ixzz1SRqaCnQY

Logline
A bipolar, bigoted, junkie cop manipulates and hallucinates his way through the festive period, until he finally meets his match… himself.

Short Synopsis
With the Christmas season in full swing, Detective Bruce Robertson is winding down at work and looking forward to his trip to Amsterdam, for a weekend of debauchery and the psychological manipulation of his ‘best friend’. The last thing Bruce needs is a trivial murder case to solve; despite it providing an ideal opportunity to eliminate his rival colleagues in the race for promotion – a promotion Bruce so desperately craves. But our hero has other obstacles to overcome, including: alcohol & drug addiction, a dramatic deterioration in his mental health, and some increasingly demanding extra-marital affairs.

“I’m really impressed with how Jon has successfully maintained the integrity of the characters but forged a distinctive cinematic identity. It’s a blend of Clockworkesque Vaudeville, urban realism and hyperreality, therefore his vision comes across strongly on the page.

With Jon and Ken’s (producer) work ethic and love of the material, they remind me very much of Danny Boyle, John Hodge and Andrew MacDonald with Trainspotting. I’ll do my absolute best to contribute, in any way they deem appropriate, to the success of this project.”

Irvine Welsh, Chicago, June 2010

Short Synopsis
Beautiful, raw and hard-hitting, “Last Will” has a sweet and touching romance running through it. After a confrontation with Ginger’s ex-boyfriend Mick, Martin sets off a bloody and ruthless chain of events which drags him into an underworld of menace and violence. “Last Will” will have the brooding menace of The Machinist, the cold calculation of Get Carter, and the brutal honesty of A History of Violence.

Cast

• Terrance Stamp
• Venessa Redgrave
• Gemma Arterton
• Christopher Eccleston

Arthur is a grumpy 78 year old that is stuck in his ways. His world revolves around caring for his ill but happy-go-lucky wife Marion, while his relationship with his 42 year old son James has deteriorated badly. Only Marion and granddaughter Jennifer’s charms manage to keep the family together.

To Arthur’s dismay, Marion loves attending a local community choir for pensioners that sing modern songs, and after an audition process the choir is selected to participate at a prestigious festival.

Tragically Marion passes away, and a broken-hearted Arthur reluctantly joins the choir in an effort to put aside his loneliness and learn how to laugh and enjoy life again.

Short Synopsis
Charlie Wisdom is resigned to living his final days in the dreary Howard’s Turn Nursing Home. The only thing he looks forward to every week is reluctantly sitting on a park bench for a fag and coffee with his grand daughter Lisa and great granddaughter Leonie.

Lisa married Derek at a young age and they had their first child, Leonie. They were poor but they were happy, and when their second child Tommy was born the family seemed complete.

At eight months old, Tommy was being looked after by Derek for the day when he came down with a fever. Derek thought it was a cold and didn’t do too much about it. 16 hours later Tommy died from meningitis.

Lisa and Derek couldn’t get over the sudden tragic loss of their son and split up, remaining on relative good terms due to their devotion to Leonie. Charlie, however, blamed Derek and never forgave him for what happened. In fact, he hates him thoroughly.

One day at the nursing home Charlie receives an envelope containing a letter and a photograph. This awakens vivid memories from his idyllic summer in Spain fifty five years ago; a period in his life he had long suppressed.

Due to his fragile health Charlie approaches Lisa for help: his dying wish is to travel to the little seaside town in southern Spain where he spent part of his youth. Lisa, stuck in a dead-end job, finally agrees to take him but realizes the only way she can do it is with Derek’s help. Charlie is dismayed when Lisa and Leonie arrive to pick him up in Derek’s Ford Sierra with Derek at the wheel.

What ensues is a bittersweet journey of self-discovery, dealing with love and loss, and the revelation of a terrible secret. Charlie must confront his dark past while Lisa and Derek try to save their family.

Image by Evgeni Dinev
www.freedigitalphotos.net

Genre:

Crime / Drama / Thriller

Plot outline:
The story of Danny; a teenage boxing hopeful being groomed for life as a bailiff, criminal and low level thug. He is forced to choose between his foster parent, aspiring gangster Vince, and the bereaved Turkish widow he is forced to evict

Prosperous professional couple Mike and Christine are settling in for a standard evening of wine, TV and low-level marital hostility when a ring on their doorbell changes everything. Turns out their son Sebastian is in a little trouble with some local boys, who are quite prepared to camp out and wait for him to get home. The resulting culture-clash chamber drama is raw, revealing and nerve-splittingly tense

Cast & Crew

• Christine – Rachel Blake
• Mike – Tom Butcher
• Rian – Jumayn Hunter
• Asad – Ashley Chin
• Teddy – Sonny Muslim
• Beth – Jennie Jacques
• Charman – Corinne Douglas
• Oscar – Kieran Dooner
• Sebastian – Tom Kane
• Writer and Director – Paul Andrew Williams
• Producer – Ken Marshall
• Executive Producer – Mark Foligno
• Director of photography – Carlos Catalan
• Production designer – lison Butler
• Editor – Tom Hemmings
• Art direction – Myk Newport
• Hair and makeup designer – Cate Hall
• Costume designer – Marianne Agertoft
• Original music – UNKLE
• Line producer – Rachel Dargavel
• Casting director – Tania Polentarutti
• Production company – Steel Mill Pictures

Read a review on IMDB