03/12/2007

The Escapist [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], In Prison My Whole Life [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and Donkey Punch [+see also:
trailer
film profile] are amongst several British films vying for accolades at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival (January 17-27, 2008) in the US.

The Escapist, backed by the UK Film Council’s Premiere Fund, is a prison escape thriller set in the tunnels beneath London, starring Brian Cox and Joseph Fiennes. The film marks the feature debut of award-winning director Rupert Wyatt.

Other Sundance selections include A Complete History of My Sexual Failures and Donkey Punch, both films from Warp X, the digital studio co-funded by the New Cinema Fund.

Complete History – a comic documentary about a loser in love – is award-winning shorts writer and director Chris Waitt’s feature debut. The boat-set survival thriller Donkey Punch is yet another Sundance selection by a debutant – writer/director Olly Blackburn.

Another New Cinema Fund backed film – BAFTA-winner James Marsh’s Man On Wire – is a retelling of Philippe Petit’s audacious attempt to walk the high wire between New York’s twin towers.

Isaac Julien’s Derek, Marc Evans’ In Prison My Whole Life, Tanaz Eshaghian’s Be Like Others, Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Sharon Maguire’s Incendiary and Stephen Walker’s Young @ Heart are amongst the other British indie contenders at the festival.

Sally Caplan, head of the Premiere Fund, said: “We are delighted that Rupert Wyatt who emerged from the UK Film Council’s Cinema Extreme short film scheme is now among the talented directors whose films have been selected for Sundance 2008. We are particularly thrilled that the film has been included in the festival’s Premiere section.”

Lenny Crooks, head of the New Cinema Fund, said: “With Complete History and Donkey Punch, Warp X has established itself as the industry leader in low budget feature films made for a worldwide audience. The whole team should be congratulated on achieving a Sundance double.”