Focus Films Ltd. (UK)
Encyclopedia
Focus Films Ltd. is an independent feature film development and production company in the United Kingdom
. It was founded in 1982 by David Pupkewitz
and Marsha Levin and is based in Finchley Road, London.
and Othello
, all of which were broadcast by Channel 4
, led to its transition to feature film production for the international market starting with Crimetime directed by George Sluizer
in 1995. Further films produced by Focus are Secret Society, Book of Eve, and their biggest budget film to date, The 51st State
directed by Ronny Yu
. The film stars Robert Carlyle
, Samuel L. Jackson
.
During the hiatus encountered by the Independent British Film Industry between 2004 to early 2007 Focus re-organised its team and strategy and in 2007 co-produced the Bruce Dickinson
–scripted film Chemical Wedding
, directed by Monty Python Veteran Julian Doyle
the film stars Simon Callow
and John Shrapnel
, with Warner Music releasing the film in the UK and Ireland theatrically at the end of May 2008.
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...
. It was founded in 1982 by David Pupkewitz
David Pupkewitz
David Pupkewitz is the founder and CEO of Focus Films Ltd. . Starting out his career as an independent producer creating broadcast drama and documentaries for Channel 4, in 1995 he moved into Feature Film production with the George Sluizer helmed crime thriller Crimetime...
and Marsha Levin and is based in Finchley Road, London.
Background
Focus's early successes with television documentaries (Via Namibia) and dramas such as KolmanskopKolmanskop
Kolmanskop is a ghost town in the Namib desert in southern Namibia, a few kilometres inland from the port town of Lüderitz. It was named after a transport driver named Johnny Coleman who, during a sand storm, abandoned his ox wagon on a small incline opposite the settlement...
and Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
, all of which were broadcast by Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, led to its transition to feature film production for the international market starting with Crimetime directed by George Sluizer
George Sluizer
George Sluizer , is a Dutch filmmaker whose credits include features as well as documentary films....
in 1995. Further films produced by Focus are Secret Society, Book of Eve, and their biggest budget film to date, The 51st State
The 51st State
The 51st State is a 2001 British action comedy film written by Stel Pavlou and directed by Ronny Yu. Produced by Focus Films Ltd. . The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Emily Mortimer, Ricky Tomlinson, Sean Pertwee, Rhys Ifans and Meat Loaf...
directed by Ronny Yu
Ronny Yu
Ronny Yu Yan-Tai is a Hong Kong director, producer, and movie writer. Yu was born in Hong Kong and graduated from Ohio University. He has worked on both Hong Kong and American films.- Career :...
. The film stars Robert Carlyle
Robert Carlyle
Robert Carlyle, OBE is a Scottish film and television actor. He is known for a variety of roles including those in Trainspotting, Hamish Macbeth, The Full Monty, The World Is Not Enough, Angela's Ashes, The 51st State, and 28 Weeks Later...
, Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
.
During the hiatus encountered by the Independent British Film Industry between 2004 to early 2007 Focus re-organised its team and strategy and in 2007 co-produced the Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
–scripted film Chemical Wedding
Chemical Wedding (film)
Chemical Wedding is a British supernatural horror/science fiction film produced by Bill&Ben Productions in conjunction with the London-based Focus Films. It is directed by Julian Doyle, who edited Terry Gilliam's Brazil and Time Bandits, Life of Brian and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life...
, directed by Monty Python Veteran Julian Doyle
Julian Doyle (filmmaker)
Julian Doyle is a British film maker who is best known for editing Monty Python's Life of Brian and shooting the special effects for Terry Gilliam's films Brazil and Time Bandits.-Early years:...
the film stars Simon Callow
Simon Callow
Simon Phillip Hugh Callow, CBE is an English actor, writer and theatre director. He is also currently a judge on Popstar to Operastar.-Early years:...
and John Shrapnel
John Shrapnel
John Shrapnel is an English actor.Shrapnel was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, the son of Mary Lillian Myfanwy and journalist/author Norman Shrapnel....
, with Warner Music releasing the film in the UK and Ireland theatrically at the end of May 2008.
Films
- Miss Romance 2009 (directed by Ryan LittleRyan LittleRyan Little is a movie director, cinematographer and producer. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.-Awards and nominations:*Won, 2006, Heartland Film Festival's Crystal Heart Award for independent filmmakers, for Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy*Won, 2003, Viewer's Choice...
) - Heaven and Earth 2010 (directed by Marleen GorrisMarleen GorrisMarleen Gorris is a writer-director from the Netherlands. Gorris is known as an outspoken feminist and supporter of gay and lesbian issues which is reflected in much of her work....
featuring Natascha McElhoneNatascha McElhoneNatascha McElhone is an English actress of stage, screen and television, best known for her roles in Ronin, The Truman Show and Solaris. McElhone also plays a leading role in the Showtime series Californication....
and Pierce BrosnanPierce BrosnanPierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
) - Master Harold...and the BoysMaster Harold...and the Boys (2010 film)Master Harold...and the Boys is a 2010 film, which is based on the original theatre play of the same name by Athol Fugard, directed by director Lonny Price. The cast includes Freddie Highmore and Ving Rhames with the release to be set in 2010.-Plot:...
2008 (directed by Lonny PriceLonny PriceLonny Price is an American actor, writer, and director, primarily in theatre. He is known for making statements on current events in versions of his musicals. His acclaimed May 2008 New York Philharmonic production of Camelot was making a statement about the current war including having different...
and featuring Ving RhamesVing RhamesIrving Rameses "Ving" Rhames is an American actor best known for his work in Bringing Out the Dead, Pulp Fiction, Baby Boy, Don King: Only in America, and the Mission: Impossible film series.-Early life and education:...
and Freddie HighmoreFreddie HighmoreAlfred Thomas "Freddie" Highmore is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in the films Finding Neverland, Five Children and It, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Arthur and the Invisibles, August Rush, The Golden Compass, The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Toast.-Early life:Highmore was...
) - Surviving EvilSurviving EvilSurviving Evil is a horror film directed by Terence Daw and stars Billy Zane, Christina Cole and Natalie Mendoza.-Plot:A team of documentary film makers arrive at a remote Philippine island to shoot a survival special, but the island they have chosen is inhabited by the Aswang, a shape-shifting...
2008 (directed by Terence Daw and features 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...
, Christina ColeChristina ColeChristina Cole is an English actress known for portraying Cassie Hughes in the Sky One supernatural television series Hex.-Background:...
and Natalie MendozaNatalie MendozaNatalie Jackson Mendoza is a Hong Kong-born Australian-British-Filipina classical theatre-trained actress and musician. She is best known for her role as one of the main characters, Jackie Clunes in the British TV drama Hotel Babylon and as tough girl Juno in the acclaimed horror thriller The...
) - The 4th Kind 2008 (directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi and features Milla JovovichMilla JovovichMilla Jovovich December 17, 1975)is an American model, actress, musician, and fashion designer. Over her career, she has appeared in a number of science fiction and action-themed films, for which music channel VH1 has referred to her as the "reigning queen of kick-butt".Milla Jovovich began...
and Elias KoteasElias KoteasElias Koteas is a Canadian actor of film and television, best known for his roles in The Prophecy, Fallen and the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films.-Early life:...
- Chemical WeddingChemical Wedding (film)Chemical Wedding is a British supernatural horror/science fiction film produced by Bill&Ben Productions in conjunction with the London-based Focus Films. It is directed by Julian Doyle, who edited Terry Gilliam's Brazil and Time Bandits, Life of Brian and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life...
2007 (directed by Julian DoyleJulian DoyleJulian John Doyle was an Australian lawyer, politician and civil servant. He served as a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Gisborne from 1967–1971.-Early life :...
and starring Simon CallowSimon CallowSimon Phillip Hugh Callow, CBE is an English actor, writer and theatre director. He is also currently a judge on Popstar to Operastar.-Early years:...
, Kal Webber, Jud Charlton and Lucy Cudden) - The Bone SnatcherThe Bone SnatcherThe Bone Snatcher is a British-Canadian horror film based on a screenplay from Malcolm Kohll and Gordon Render, the film was directed by South African filmmaker Jason Wolfsohn and stars Scott Bairstow, Rachel Shelley and Adrienne Pierce.-Plot:...
2003 (directed by Jason Wulfsohn and starring Scott Bairstow, Rachel ShelleyRachel ShelleyRachel Shelley is an English actress and model. She was born in Swindon. , Los Angeles Daily News and graduated from Sheffield University with a B.A...
and Warwick Grier) - The Book of Eve 2002 (directed by Claude FournierClaude FournierClaude Fournier L'Héritier was a French personality of the Revolution, nicknamed l'Americain .-Early activities:...
and starring Claire BloomClaire BloomClaire Bloom is an English film and stage actress.-Early life:Bloom was born in the North London suburb of Finchley, the daughter of Elizabeth and Edward Max Blume, who worked in sales...
, Daniel Lavoie and Susannah York) - The 51st StateThe 51st StateThe 51st State is a 2001 British action comedy film written by Stel Pavlou and directed by Ronny Yu. Produced by Focus Films Ltd. . The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Emily Mortimer, Ricky Tomlinson, Sean Pertwee, Rhys Ifans and Meat Loaf...
2001 (directed by Ronny YuRonny YuRonny Yu Yan-Tai is a Hong Kong director, producer, and movie writer. Yu was born in Hong Kong and graduated from Ohio University. He has worked on both Hong Kong and American films.- Career :...
and starring Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. JacksonSamuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
, Robert CarlyleRobert CarlyleRobert Carlyle, OBE is a Scottish film and television actor. He is known for a variety of roles including those in Trainspotting, Hamish Macbeth, The Full Monty, The World Is Not Enough, Angela's Ashes, The 51st State, and 28 Weeks Later...
, Rhys IfansRhys IfansRhys Ifans is a Welsh actor and musician. He is known for his portrayal of characters such as Spike in Notting Hill and Jed Parry in Enduring Love and as a member of the Welsh rock groups Super Furry Animals and The Peth. Ifans also appeared as Xenophilius Lovegood in Harry Potter and the Deathly...
, Emily MortimerEmily MortimerEmily Kathleen A. Mortimer is an English actress. She began performing on stage, and has since appeared in several film and television roles, including Scream 3, Match Point, Lars and the Real Girl, and Shutter Island....
, Sean PertweeSean PertweeSean Pertwee is an English actor known for his television, film and voice-over work.-Career:In the early 80s, he auditioned for a place at the Surrey County Youth Theatre where he was cast as Captain Fitzpatrick in the play Tom Jones, based on the novel by Henry Fielding...
and Meat LoafMeat LoafMichael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
) - Julie’s Spirit 2000 (directed by Bettina Wilhelm and starring Sylvie TestudSylvie TestudSylvie Testud is a French actress, writer and director. Her film career began in 1991. She was later highly acclaimed, and has twice won César Awards.-Biography:...
and Julia Richter) - Secret Society 1999 (directed by Imogen Kimmel and starring Lee Ross and Charlotte Brittain)
- Crimetime 1996 (directed by George SluizerGeorge SluizerGeorge Sluizer , is a Dutch filmmaker whose credits include features as well as documentary films....
and starring Pete PostlethwaitePete PostlethwaitePeter William "Pete" Postlethwaite, OBE, was an English stage, film and television actor.After minor television appearances including in The Professionals, Postlethwaite's first success came with the film Distant Voices, Still Lives in 1988. He played a mysterious lawyer, Mr...
, Stephen BaldwinStephen BaldwinStephen Andrew Baldwin is an American actor, director, producer and author. One of the Baldwin brothers, he is known for his roles as William F. Cody in the western show The Young Riders and as Stuart in the movie Threesome...
and Sadie FrostSadie FrostSadie Frost is an English actress, who currently runs fashion label Frost French and has designed the kitchens for a new development in the East End of London.-Biography:Frost was born Sadie Liza Vaughan in London...
) - Diary of a Sane Man 1989 (Independent Film and Video, Channel 4)
- Othello 1987 (TV drama, directed by Janet SuzmanJanet SuzmanDame Janet Suzman, DBE is a South African-born-British actress and director.-Early life:Janet Suzman was born in Johannesburg to a Jewish family, the daughter of Betty and Saul Suzman, a wealthy importer of tobacco....
and starring John KaniJohn KaniBonsile John Kani is a South African actor, director and playwright.He was born in New Brighton, South Africa.Kani joined The Serpent Players in Port Elizabeth in 1965 and helped to create many plays that went unpublished but were performed to a resounding reception.These...
, Channel 4) - Via Namibia 1985 (documentary with original music by Hugh MasekelaHugh MasekelaHugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
) - KolmanskopKolmanskopKolmanskop is a ghost town in the Namib desert in southern Namibia, a few kilometres inland from the port town of Lüderitz. It was named after a transport driver named Johnny Coleman who, during a sand storm, abandoned his ox wagon on a small incline opposite the settlement...
1982 (feature)