28 March, 2006
Director Richard Attenborough started production Monday in Belfast on Closing The Ring, an epic love story that stars Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, Mischa Barton, Brenda Fricker, and Pete Postlethwaite. Jo Gilbert is producing with Attenborough, with Martin Katz co-producing. Closing the Ring is a presentation of the UK Film Council, Scion Films, the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, and ContentFilm International. The film will shoot in Belfast through the end of April, on location and at the city’s new Titanic Studios. The production will then move to Toronto. “This landmark co-production with Canada marks an incredible opportunity for the film industry of Northern Ireland,” said producer Gilbert, who is also a co-owner of Titanic Studios. “To have a British film icon like Richard Attenborough, and actors and filmmakers the caliber of Shirley MacLaine and [cinematographer] Roger Pratt filming this movie here in Belfast with local crew and actors is a phenomenal achievement for this community. In addition to forging a new and strong link with Canada, it will show the rest of the world that Northern Ireland has a vibrant film industry and that we are indeed, open for business.” The script written by Peter Woodward follows an American woman trying to honour a wartime promise over half a century and two continents. The supporting cast includes Gregory Smith, Ian McElhinney, and newcomers Stephen Amell, David Alpay, and Martin McCann.
Attenborough will be working with cinematographer Roger Pratt and editor Lesley Walker, who worked on his films including Shadowlands. Tom McCullagh will serve as production designer while Hazel Webb-Crozier is the costume designer.
