‘TYRANNOSAUR’ TAKES TOP AWARDS AT SUNDANCE (31/01/2011)
A feature film made in Leeds and Wakefield has become the talk of critics across the globe as it bagged two top awards at Sundance, the world’s leading international independent film festival, in Park City Utah over the weekend. Renowned actor Paddy Considine took the World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic Award for his feature directorial debut Tyrannosaur, produced by Warp X and Inflammable Films with backing from Screen Yorkshire.
Olivia Colman and Peter Mullan were awarded The World Cinema Special Jury Prizes: Dramatic for Breakout Performances for their roles in the hard-hitting drama, which explores how love and friendship can be found in the darkest of places.
Tyrannosaur, also written by Considine, became the buzz of audiences and critics alike following its World Premiere at Sundance, where it screened in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, on 21st January. Filmed in Leeds and Wakefield in 2010, Tyrannosaur was produced by Diarmid Scrimshaw on Warp Films’ low budget feature initiative Warp X, which aims to support emerging talent to break into feature films. Tyrannosaur also had its European premiere last week as part of the Bright Future programme of first and second feature films at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Starring Peter Mullan (My Name is Joe, Trainspotting), Olivia Colman (Peep Show, Hot Fuzz) and Eddie Marsan (Happy Go Lucky, Vera Drake). Tyrannosaur tells the story of Joseph (Peter Mullan) a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction. As Joseph's life spirals into turmoil a chance of redemption appears in the form of Hannah (Olivia Colman), a Christian charity shop worker. Their relationship develops to reveal that Hannah is hiding a secret of her own with devastating results on both of their lives.
The wins for Tyrannosaur and last week’s Best TV Drama Award for This Is England ’86 come as Screen Yorkshire undertakes redundancy consultation with fifteen of its nineteen staff.
Hugo Heppell, Head of Production at Screen Yorkshire, who co-funded Tyrannosaur and gave locations and crewing support, says:
"We are absolutely thrilled at the success of Tyrannosaur at the Sundance Film Festival and congratulate Paddy Considine, Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman for their richly deserved awards. This unflinching, wonderful film, shot entirely on location in Seacroft, Leeds, and part of Screen Yorkshire's long-term commitment to film made through its investment in Warp X, takes its place alongside The Arbor and The Kings Speech among the most lauded films of the year, and shows that film is still very much alive in Yorkshire despite these difficult times."
Paddy Considine, a world renowned actor, previously co-wrote and starred in Shane Meadows’ 2004 film Dead Man’s Shoes, as well as appearing in films including In America, The Bourne Ultimatum, A Room For Romeo Brass and My Summer Of Love. The script for Tyrannosaur, written by Considine, was based on his 2008 BAFTA winning short Dog Altogether.
Tyrannosaur is produced by Diarmid Scrimshaw for Warp X and Inflammable Films, co-funded by Film4, the UK Film Council, Screen Yorkshire, Optimum Releasing, EM Media, Madman and Nonstop Entertainment. It will be released in the UK in autumn 2011 by Optimum Releasing, with Protagonist handling international sales.
For more about Warp X: http://www.warpx.co.uk/
From the critics....
David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
''That this enthralling drama never stoops to become a May-December romance or a too-tidy parable about healing is to its credit. But in Considine's confident hands and those of his tremendous actors, the emotional arc is rich and full, leaving us shaken and breathless before allowing a whisper of atonement.''
Jeremy Kay Guardian Film blog
''Truly dazzling performances…..if you want to see something special by a highly assured new director, make sure you buy a ticket. Behind all the hype there aren't that many movies here that I'm hearing a lot of normal people – festivalgoers, not the industry attendees – discuss, but this is one of them.''
Chris Bumbray , Joblo.com
''Tyrannosaur is an intensely rewarding film to watch, and a brilliant directorial debut from Considine…. Anyone who's been lucky enough to see Peter Mullan's work in films like Boy A, and the Red Riding Trilogy, knows that he's one of the finest actors currently working, and Joseph feels like the role of a lifetime.''
Dave Karger, Entertainment Weekly
“Amazing, I am absolutely speechless, absolutely amazing....Fantastic performances by Peter Mullan and Olivia Colman.''
Daniel Fienberg HIT FIX.COM
''…you can't deny the power of Tyrannosaur which features tremendous performances in all key roles.’
Adam Palcher, Salt Lake Magazine
''With all the violence, heartbreaking and bone breaking aside, Considine is able to establish a hopeful story like nothing else I’ve seen this year and top that off with monumental performances. I can easily say this is the best film of the fest. If it’s not — it’ll be tough to beat.''
Tom Brook, BBC America
“Excellent - already done a Talking Movies Facebook post to that effect”
John Lopez, Vanity Fair.com
“Fantastic”.
Jimmy Martin, Slug Magazine
“I thought it was absolutely brilliant!”
