Vanessa Redgrave Joins Annette Bening, Jamie Bell and Julie Walters in the Film Adaptation of Peter Turner’s Acclaimed Memoir
June 27th 2016 – Liverpool: Producers Barbara Broccoli (SPECTRE, SKYFALL) and Colin Vaines (GANGS OF NEW YORK, THE YOUNG VICTORIA, Ralph Fiennes’ CORIOLANUS, W.E.) today announced FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL has commenced principal photography in Liverpool. The production team is working with Liverpool’s Film Office while on location in the city.
The film directed by BAFTA nominee Paul McGuigan (SHERLOCK, LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN) stars four-time Academy Award® nominee and BAFTA winner, Annette Bening (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, BEING JULIA, AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE GRIFTERS), BAFTA winner, Jamie Bell (BILLY ELLIOT, JANE EYRE, THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN), two-time Academy Award® nominee and BAFTA winner, Julie Walters (BROOKLYN, PADDINGTON, BILLY ELLIOT, EDUCATING RITA), Academy Award® and BAFTA fellowship winner Vanessa Redgrave (FOX CATCHER, THE BUTLER, ANONYMOUS, ATONEMENT), Kenneth Cranham (WAR & PEACE, MALEFICENT), Stephen Graham (THIS IS ENGLAND, BOARDWALK EMPIRE), Frances Barber (MR. HOLMES) and Leanne Best (LINE OF DUTY, UNDERCOVER). The production will also film on location in London and Pinewood Studios.
Based on the acclaimed memoir by British actor Peter Turner, FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL follows the playful, but passionate relationship between Turner (Jamie Bell) and the eccentric Academy Award® winning actress Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening). What starts as a vibrant affair between a legendary femme fatale and her young lover, quickly grows into a deeper relationship with Turner being the one person she allows herself to turn to for comfort and strength. Their passion and lust for life is tested to the limits by events beyond their control.
Prolific independent entertainment studio, IM Global is co-financing the film, and has the international distribution rights. Lionsgate will release the film in the UK in 2017.
The screenplay is written by BAFTA winner Matt Greenhalgh (CONTROL, NOWHERE BOY), the director of photography is Ula Pontikos (SECOND COMING, LILTING). The production designer is BAFTA-winning and Oscar® nominated Eve Stewart (LES MISERABLES, THE KING’S SPEECH, THE DANISH GIRL), the editor is Nick Emerson (GOOD VIBRATIONS), costume designer is BAFTA Award winner Jany Temime (SPECTRE, GRAVITY, HERCULES), make-up and hair designer is BAFTA nominee Naomi Donne (SPECTRE, THE LADY IN THE VAN, CINDERELLA), the casting director is Debbie McWilliams (SPECTRE, SKYFALL) with a score by two-time Academy Award® nominated composer J. Ralph (MAN ON WIRE, THE COVE, RACING EXTINCTION).
The book, FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL written by Peter Turner, is published in the UK by Pan Macmillan.