Fishtales
Encyclopedia
Fishtales is a 2007 family comedy film directed by Alki David
, and starring Billy Zane
and Kelly Brook
about a widowed father who falls in love with a mermaid. The film was released theatrically in the UK on August 24, 2007.
At the time of filming, co-stars Billy Zane
and Kelly Brook
were engaged to be married, but they have since split. This is the second film that the couple have worked on together, the previous being 2006's Survival Island
, where they met.
) is about to lose his research grant studying ancient love spells. He knows he is close to a major academic breakthrough and desperately needs more time to complete his research. Thomas is given one last chance to finish his work, and goes to the Greek island of Spetses
, where he has been invited to stay at the home of a supportive Oxford don Professor Coulter. Thomas brings along his 12 year-old daughter, Serena (Amber Savva
). The house is in tolerable condition, and Serena finds a book about mermaids that has an ancient Greek inscription on the cover.
Serena is supportive of her father and readily asks him about ancient mythology, but feels that he dedicates too much of himself to his work. The pair meet a fisherman named Captain Mavros (Alki David) and his son Dimitri (Felix Yanez); Dimitri develops a crush on Serena.
Neried, who can only gain legs at night, travels on land to meet Thomas. When they initially cannot get along, Serena asks that Neried only help her father translate some old relics for his work. Neried does, and when she and Thomas speak the ancient love spell in unison, they fall in love with each other. Thomas realizes that the writing on the book Serena had discovered earlier is the key to understanding all the ancient text, enabling him to continue his work.
during the summer of 2006, with extra footage filmed later in London
.
Director Alki David
, an avid dive
enthusiast, paid particular attention to the quality of the underwater sequences. Specialist equipment was required to achieve the underwater scenes in the film.
During shooting for the film, Brook, when attempting to surface between shots, hit her head on the underside of a rock and almost drowned in her full costume.
Brook had a stunt and body double
for the portions of the film that involved swimming beyond her ability, the job was given to a 29 year old free-diver
from Cornwall
. The double, Hannah Stacey, used to hold the UK's free diving woman's record of 54m (177ft) on a single breath.
Both Brook and Stacey wore tails that were moulded individually to fit each of them and took three and a half months to build.
premiered at the Cannes Film Festival
in 2007, where it received very poor reviews and some critics walked out before the film had finished. One critic claimed 'This is the worst movie I've seen in a very long time I fell asleep within the first 15 minutes'
It was released theatrically in August 2007 across the UK
, USA
and Canada
.
It was released on DVD
in August 2008 across the USA
and Canada
.
Alki David
Alkiviades "Alki" David is a digital media entrepreneurknown for his adoption of social media as a marketing vehicle, such as FilmOn, Battlecam and 9021go.com. David has also appeared in feature films, including The Bank Job, and on UK TV.-Background and family:David was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to...
, and starring Billy Zane
Billy Zane
William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
and Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook is an English model, actress, entrepreneur, television presenter and Playboy model.-Early life:...
about a widowed father who falls in love with a mermaid. The film was released theatrically in the UK on August 24, 2007.
At the time of filming, co-stars Billy Zane
Billy Zane
William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
and Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook
Kelly Brook is an English model, actress, entrepreneur, television presenter and Playboy model.-Early life:...
were engaged to be married, but they have since split. This is the second film that the couple have worked on together, the previous being 2006's Survival Island
Survival Island
Survival Island, also known as Three, is a 2006 film written and directed by Stewart Raffill. It stars Billy Zane, Kelly Brook, and Juan Pablo Di Pace.-Plot:...
, where they met.
Plot
Widowed Classics Professor Thomas Bradley (Billy ZaneBilly Zane
William George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
) is about to lose his research grant studying ancient love spells. He knows he is close to a major academic breakthrough and desperately needs more time to complete his research. Thomas is given one last chance to finish his work, and goes to the Greek island of Spetses
Spetses
Spetses is an island and a municipality in the Islands regional unit, Attica, Greece. It is sometimes included as one of the Saronic Islands. Until 1948, it was part of the old prefecture of Argolidocorinthia, which is now split into Argolis and Corinthia...
, where he has been invited to stay at the home of a supportive Oxford don Professor Coulter. Thomas brings along his 12 year-old daughter, Serena (Amber Savva
Amber Savva
Amber Zoe Savva is a British actress, born in 1993. She is perhaps best known for her role as Serena in 2007's Fishtales.-Filmography:* The Bill Sanura Azmi* Fishtales as Serena Bradley- External links :...
). The house is in tolerable condition, and Serena finds a book about mermaids that has an ancient Greek inscription on the cover.
Serena is supportive of her father and readily asks him about ancient mythology, but feels that he dedicates too much of himself to his work. The pair meet a fisherman named Captain Mavros (Alki David) and his son Dimitri (Felix Yanez); Dimitri develops a crush on Serena.
Neried, who can only gain legs at night, travels on land to meet Thomas. When they initially cannot get along, Serena asks that Neried only help her father translate some old relics for his work. Neried does, and when she and Thomas speak the ancient love spell in unison, they fall in love with each other. Thomas realizes that the writing on the book Serena had discovered earlier is the key to understanding all the ancient text, enabling him to continue his work.
Cast
- Billy ZaneBilly ZaneWilliam George "Billy" Zane, Jr. is an American actor, producer and director. He is probably best known for his roles as Caledon Hockley in Titanic, The Phantom from The Phantom, John Wheeler in Twin Peaks and Mr...
as Dr. Thomas Bradley - Kelly BrookKelly BrookKelly Brook is an English model, actress, entrepreneur, television presenter and Playboy model.-Early life:...
as Neried - Alki DavidAlki DavidAlkiviades "Alki" David is a digital media entrepreneurknown for his adoption of social media as a marketing vehicle, such as FilmOn, Battlecam and 9021go.com. David has also appeared in feature films, including The Bank Job, and on UK TV.-Background and family:David was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to...
as Captain Mavros - Amber SavvaAmber SavvaAmber Zoe Savva is a British actress, born in 1993. She is perhaps best known for her role as Serena in 2007's Fishtales.-Filmography:* The Bill Sanura Azmi* Fishtales as Serena Bradley- External links :...
as Serena Bradley - Felix Yanez as Dimitri Mavros
- Effi Papatheodorou as Klymeni
- John NettletonJohn Nettleton (actor)John Nettleton is an English actor.One of his most notable roles was that of Sir Arnold Robinson, the Cabinet Secretary in Yes Minister and President of the Campaign for Freedom of Information in the follow-up Yes, Prime Minister...
as Professor Coulter - Terrence Hardiman as Professor Ratcher
- John QuayleJohn QuayleJohn Quayle was a U.S. Congressman representing the 7th District of New York in the United States House of Representatives from 1923 to 1930....
as Professor Whiner
Production
The film was shot on location on the Greek Island of SpetsesSpetses
Spetses is an island and a municipality in the Islands regional unit, Attica, Greece. It is sometimes included as one of the Saronic Islands. Until 1948, it was part of the old prefecture of Argolidocorinthia, which is now split into Argolis and Corinthia...
during the summer of 2006, with extra footage filmed later in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Director Alki David
Alki David
Alkiviades "Alki" David is a digital media entrepreneurknown for his adoption of social media as a marketing vehicle, such as FilmOn, Battlecam and 9021go.com. David has also appeared in feature films, including The Bank Job, and on UK TV.-Background and family:David was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to...
, an avid dive
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
enthusiast, paid particular attention to the quality of the underwater sequences. Specialist equipment was required to achieve the underwater scenes in the film.
During shooting for the film, Brook, when attempting to surface between shots, hit her head on the underside of a rock and almost drowned in her full costume.
Brook had a stunt and body double
Stunt double
A stunt double is a type of body double, specifically a skilled replacement used for dangerous film or video sequences, in movies and television , and for other sophisticated stunts...
for the portions of the film that involved swimming beyond her ability, the job was given to a 29 year old free-diver
Free-diving
Freediving is any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-hold underwater diving. Examples include breathhold spear fishing, freedive photography, apnea competitions and, to a degree, snorkeling...
from Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. The double, Hannah Stacey, used to hold the UK's free diving woman's record of 54m (177ft) on a single breath.
Both Brook and Stacey wore tails that were moulded individually to fit each of them and took three and a half months to build.
Release and response
The filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
premiered at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 2007, where it received very poor reviews and some critics walked out before the film had finished. One critic claimed 'This is the worst movie I've seen in a very long time I fell asleep within the first 15 minutes'
It was released theatrically in August 2007 across the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
It was released on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in August 2008 across the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.