Motion Pictures
February 21, 2001
“Charlotte Gray,” Starring Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup And Michael Gambon, Starts Principal Photography
(February 21, 2001 – London, UK) – Director Gillian Armstrong’s romantic drama “Charlotte Gray,” starring Cate Blanchett, Billy Crudup and Michael Gambon, began principal photography on February 12 at Pinewood Studios, it was announced today by Paul Webster, Chief Executive of FilmFour.
Set in Nazi-occupied France at the height of World War II, “Charlotte Gray” tells the compelling story of a young Scottish woman working with the French Resistance in the hope of rescuing her lover, a missing RAF pilot.
Based on the best-selling novel by Sebastian Faulks, “Charlotte Gray” is produced for Ecosse Films by Sarah Curtis and Douglas Rae, from a screenplay by Jeremy Brock, with whom they are reunited following the success of their collaboration on the award-winning feature film “Mrs. Brown.” The film is being made as a U.K.-Australian co-production, in association with Catherine Kerr of Pod Films. Paul Webster, Hanno Huth and Robert Bernstein serve as Executive Producers. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film in North America under its multi-picture alliance with FilmFour.
“This is a remarkable project filled with some of the most talented people working today,” Paul Webster said. “FilmFour is thrilled to have guided this film into production. Thanks aplenty are due to Douglas, Robert and Sarah at Ecosse and the brilliant Jeremy Brock and of course, our fabulous director, Gillian Armstrong.”
Academy Award-nominated actress Cate Blanchett takes the title role of Charlotte Gray and is best known for her leading role in “Elizabeth,” which won eight major awards, including a BAFTA and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Her other credits include “The Gift,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “An Ideal Husband,” “Oscar and Lucinda” and “Thank God He Met Lizzie,” for which she won the AFI Award for Best Performance by an actress in a supporting role.
Billy Crudup has gained international attention for his starring roles in Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous,” Alison Maclean’s “Jesus’ Son,” in which he co-starred with Samantha Morton, and “The Hi-Lo Country,” directed by Stephen Frears.
Michael Gambon’s credits include roles in “Sleepy Hollow,” “The Insider” and “Dancing at Lughnasa.” He will also be seen in the upcoming “High Heels and Lowlifes.”
Rising star Rupert Penry–Jones has appeared in “Virtual Sexuality” and “Hilary and Jackie.” He will next be seen in “Four Feathers.”
Gillian Armstrong’s directorial credits include “Oscar and Lucinda,” “Not Fourteen Again,” which she also produced, “Little Women,” “The Last Days of Chez Nous” and “My Brilliant Career,” for which she won the AFI Best Director Award.
“Charlotte Gray” is a FilmFour presentation in partnership with Senator Film and Warner Bros. Pictures, and in association with Universal Pictures. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film in North America; FilmFour in the U.K.; Senator Film in Germany; and U.I.P. will distribute in the majority of the rest of the world for Universal Pictures.
“Charlotte Gray” will shoot at Pinewood Studios and on location in France and the U.K. # # #