Coming directly from Regent Releasing, the person in charge of the Little Ashes release in America has stated that the film is a top priority at Regent. The company, known for distributing thought-provoking and intelligent independent cinema releases, recently announced Little Ashes as one of their upcoming attractions.

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One of our project's foremost coordinators spoke at length with Regent. The person in charge of promoting the film, who has recently viewed it, has said that it is a "very good film done in a tasteful manner." Our promotional website will receive:

...exclusive stills/updates/behind-the-scene clips and photos, along with the trailer to be released in October. Plus, promotional giveaways for us to offer to viewers.

The film's main attraction is of course, Robert Pattinson, but there is also an increasing buzz for Spanish actor Javier Beltran. Beltran will play Federico García Lorca, one of Dali's friends.

Not to mention that the director is the acclaimed Paul Morrison, one of METFilms executive producers:

Paul Morrison has a distinguished track record as a drama and documentary maker, both as a writer and a director. He was Oscar-nominated for his first feature Solomon & Gaenor in the year 2000. His second film, Wondrous Oblivion, has also won many awards and was released widely across the UK to much critical acclaim in 2004, and in the US in 2006.

His documentary work includes From Bitter Earth and John and Yoko for the BBC, and the Channel 4 series A Change of Mind and A Sense of Belonging. His film Like Other People won the Grierson award for Best UK Documentary.

Paul has just completed filming his third feature film Little Ashes, starring Robert Pattison, Javier Beltran and Matthew McNulty.

One of the commentators posted a great series of interviews. Let me put it here as a highlight. Many thanks to northern7:

What's the Little Ashes story?

Went that we entered a competition and had to put in a few ideas, I did an outline for Little Ashes. It won the competition, it got script edited and then I had to write it, I thought 'Oh OK'. That draft got funding from a big EU organisation called Media II, they are quite picky when it comes to selecting. I think three UK companies got money last year, we were one of them and the other two were really well established - they normally go on track record so it was real coup for us.

How much did they give you?

MC: It was about 10,000 Euros, £6k and I think we should have applied for more because we would have got it.
PB: It was perfect at the time and it's really kept the project going and now Philippa's been selected for the Moonstone lab.
PG: Last year it was in Ireland and this year it's in Italy - it's a tough life!
PB: We've basically been developing Little Ashes and Paradise Lost, the project we were originally set up to develop.

What happened then?

PB: Before we went to Cannes first time round we rang a lot of European production companies to set up meetings. Interestingly, the first company we met was Egmond who had produced Antonia's Line and developed The Luzhin Defense. We had a one page outline for Little Ashes that they were really pleased with but it was almost a year later when we finally called them to say we had a script for it. They were again very interested and were interested in a co-production just like that."

Moira pipes up now and all of a sudden I can see how things have happened for the Muses, "Then they gave us Marleen Gorris - we'd heard before that she didn't want it but she'd not even see the script - anyway we went over to meet her after that. She was just fantastic and we shared the same passion for it - it's very nice when that happens.
PG (below): since then I've gone through and re-written the screenplay with her.

What's happening with that now?

MC: Basically are putting in 50% and we have to get the other 50% but we've already on board through Defries' Main Man company. So we now need another 40% and we want to start shooting in September/October - that's fairly near.
PB: So at the moment we are going hell for leather trying to attach cast, talking to sales agents and executive producers but Cannes will be a blitz to get the other 40%.
PG: We can't use American money or actors because of the strike so we'll have to find a British cast and talk to the European producers.

Tell me about the film.

PG: Its set in Spain in the 1920's and its essentially about the love affair between a very young Dali and the great Spanish poet Garcia Lorca. Because Dali was only 18 at the time he is in no way the man he became in later life, none of the moustaches although there is at the end of the film. He started off as a student totally paralysed with nerves, he couldn't even speak to people he was so shy and he desperately wanted to become part of this erudite set that Bunuel and Lorca were involved in. It's about his gradual transformation into this caricature that he created for himself.

Who was Carlos Lorca?

PG: He was a playwright and a poet who's very well known in Europe but not so well known over here. His assassination was ordered at the outbreak of the Spanish civil war by Franco, partly for being too forthright in his political opinions but also for being a homosexual. It's about a love affair between too men in a society where that was still taboo, there's very little of the actual war in the film.

Is Bunuel featured much?

PG: Not too much because Bunuel moves to Paris half way through the story, he became very jealous of their relationship.
PB: The element of the story that really works is young people and their sexual confusion, it transcends the fact that they become famous figures but the fact who they are becomes a really interesting way in.
MC: It's about choices in life, either going with who you are or choosing to become someone else to achieve your goals in a much more public sense.

[ Official Movie Site ] [ Regent Releasing ]

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Comments (30)

cant wait

i hope that there is some form of advertisement in the UK for it, i really want to see this film, i shall have to look out on the internet for trailers and such.
thanks for the converage on it

Beautiful-insanity , August 27, 2008

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I'm so excited to be a part of this project!

lifeisfast , August 27, 2008

We've come so far...

...in such a short amount of time. This project didn't even exist this time last week! I am so excited about what we are doing, who we are reaching...and it's all making a difference for this film!

blearyeyedmesgirl , August 27, 2008 | url

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So why is the spanish actor top billing? Is his role bigger. Lets be honest buzz or no buzz noone knows who he is

sasha , August 27, 2008

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It looks like it's going great! Keep it up, you guys!

To Sasha:

It's because he's the main role.

Natasha711 , August 27, 2008

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Oh thats bad news I was hoping Rob wasnt a supporting actor in it. The full plot for the film doesnt imply that at all. Its more from Dali's perspective.

sasha , August 27, 2008

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This movie really needs a push in the UK. I could see this going out on Channel 4 (or other UK TV network)at some obscure time of night as did The Haunted Airman and The Bad Mothers Handbook. Still that's the way of UK funded indie flicks. Not that I mind, I just would for once like to see one of these great Rob films on the big screen just to show the viewing public the calibre of actor he is.

Jane Doe , August 27, 2008

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Have we been misled then. The synopsis doesnt suggest he has a smaller role than this unknown actor.

Madrid 1922. A city wavering on the edge of change as traditional values are challenged by the dangerous new influences of Jazz, Freud and the avant-garde. Salvador Dalí arrives at university: 18 years old and determined to become a great artist. His bizarre blend of shyness and rampant exhibitionism attracts the attention of two of the university’s social elite -Federico García Lorca and Luis Buñuel.

Salvador is absorbed into their decadent group and for a time Salvador, Luis and Federico become a formidable trio, the most ultra-modern group in Madrid. However as time passes, Salvador feels an increasingly strong pull towards the charismatic Federico – who is himself oblivious of the attentions he is getting from his beautiful writer friend, Margarita. Finally, in the face of his friends’ preoccupations – and Federico’s growing renown as a poet – Luis sets off for Paris in search of his own artistic success.

Federico and Salvador spend the holiday in the sea-side town of Cadaques. Both the idyllic surroundings and the warmth of the Dalí family sweep Federico off his feet. Salvador and he draw closer, sharing their deepest beliefs, inspirations and secrets, convinced that they have found a kind of friendship undreamt of by others. It is more than a meeting of the minds; it is a fusion of souls. And then one night, in the phosphorescent water, it becomes something else…

A seemingly innocent kiss throws Federico and Salvador into the realms of the taboo. In the world of Spanish Catholicism homosexuality is an affront against God and man. On their return to Madrid the two embark on an unspoken, secret affair, terrified to do more than steal the occasional kiss, hidden in the darkness. When Luis visits, he is appalled to realise that Federico is in love with Salvador. He leaves the city in shock rather than confronting his one-time friend.

Salvador visits Luis in Paris and returns determined to separate himself from both Federico and Madrid – Luis has convinced him that both are proving detrimental to his career. Federico, increasingly fearful of his emotions, now becomes terrified of the thought of losing Salvador. One fateful afternoon the situation escalates as, frustrated and manipulated, Federico has sex with Margarita whilst Salvador watches. The episode leaves Federico distraught as Salvador becomes colder than ever and leaves for Paris.

Alone in Madrid, Federico struggles against his psyche, tortured by the damning implications of his own religious beliefs and the undeniable voice of his flesh. He is haunted by news of Salvador who is collaborating on a Surrealist film with Luis and has embarked on an affair with a married woman – Gala. Finally Margarita forces Federico to admit to himself his homosexuality and carry on with his life.

He departs for America, never expecting to see Salvador again…

Madrid 1936. Spain is teetering on the precipice of civil war. Federico, now a highly acclaimed and controversial playwright, receives an invitation to dinner from Salvador and Gala. But the hosts have a rather unusual agenda and the evening is a disaster. A week later, Salvador is hosting a party when he discovers that Federico has been assassinated in the outbreak of war. The walls of self-denial that surround the artist come crashing down as he realises, too late, the depth of his love for Federico.

cherrybel , August 27, 2008

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Fantastic news!! Y'all are hitting it out of the park. I'm so impressed by what Regent is willing to do to help.

Go team!

tracygee , August 27, 2008

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I too am excited to be apart of this project because just based on everything that I've seen behind the scenes and from fans.... this is going to be a very special picture for all of the cast and crew involved. What a great feeling.

Kristin , August 27, 2008 | url

Equality in mentioning the characters...

Actually they talk about Dali and Lorca about the same amount. They mention Dali's youth, and then him meeting Lorca and Bunuel. Then they actually go into detail about who the character of Lorca is.

So, some could say they profile Lorca's character more, and some could say they talk about them equally. But, they definitely don't mention Dali more so than Lorca...

Great article though.

blearyeyedmesgirl , August 27, 2008 | url

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Whats it about:
It's about his (Dali) gradual transformation into this caricature that he created for himself.

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So I'd disagree bleary the writers stress that point

Larag , August 27, 2008

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So based on "equality" - why is Rob second bill? The other actor has virtually zero on his IMDB page

Larag , August 27, 2008

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Perhaps its best if the site gets clarification because maybe some fans wouldnt contribute to the project fund if Rob has a much smaller role. They arent funding a leg up for this other actor.

alison , August 27, 2008

I thought it was about promoting a film...

No matter who is featured more in it, I thought it was supposed to be about the film. That's what is important. It was never called 'the Robert Pattinson Independent film of the year.' However, the role and the movie are important to Rob...isn't that enough? He's proud of his work, and the movie is going to be great no matter whose name comes first.

As for billing, even when characters are equal in roles, how would they bill them 'equally?' One name always has to come before the other...

I'd heard Rob was the lead supporting, which would go along with the billing...no matter what, the name order won't change the amount of screen time each actor receives; it won't change the storyline at all.

I hope we can move past this now...people worked hard on this film, Rob included, and it shouldn't come down to whose name is first on a header.

blearyeyedmesgirl , August 27, 2008 | url

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Good point, bleary.

exclusive stills/updates/behind the scene clips and photos, along with the trailer to be released in October. Plus, promotional giveaways for us to offer to viewers.

This is a HUGE deal. Great job!!!

kellagood , August 27, 2008 | url

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I hope we can move past this now...people worked hard on this film, Rob included, and it shouldn't come down to whose name is first on a header.

Well said! For all we know Rob himself asked to be billed second to highlight his fellow actor. Who knows how these things work? The important thing is that the film looks excellent. I'm working hard to get it at our local cinema here. Fingers crossed...

tracygee , August 27, 2008

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Jed - You said you'd done some pr work on a Ledger film that didnt do well. Did you learn anything from the experience that can assist with the promotion of Little Ashes

Carolyn , August 27, 2008

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With any kind of movie, viewers will go see it for a bunch of different reasons - some because a particular actor is in it, some because of the music, some because of the subject matter etc etc. When you're working to promote a film, you have to remember that different things appeal to different people, and above all, film making is a TEAM effort. It's seldom just about one person or one thing - the success or failure of a film rides on how it works as a whole. So promotion should never center on one person to the exclusion of all others.

Here at tMF we are big supporters of indie movies and of up-and-coming talent. So anyone who gets involved in this project does so knowing that it's a bigger deal than just being a fan of Robert Pattinson: it's about being a part of a community effort to promote a new indie film that Robert is starring in. :-))

Elle , August 27, 2008

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i'm surprised you didn't link or mention the little ashes blog(http://littleashesmovie.blogspot.com/) that was started in june. they've been working hard on it and it's sad they weren't mentioned. i know the my space supporting little ashes has taken some of the pictures on there.

excited for the movie.

emilyinlondon , August 27, 2008

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emilyinlondon

I meant to state where I received the pictures from and will do so, I would also like to link to your site if that is okay.

Jen

Jenbarn76 , August 27, 2008

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This is the first time I've seen the banner for LITTLE ASHES. Is there a larger one anywhere? I love the banner. Very nice.

I just want to say that it's touching to see this site (tMF rocks!), and fans rally around a independent film to help it any way possible. Reading that article posted by Northern7 it's easy to see how complicated it obviously is just to get funding, even for a director who has a great track record, and is critically acclaimed.

I can't wait to see more about this labor of love.

Marsha , August 27, 2008 | url

Concerns

I just thought people should be aware that tMF supports indie film and that we don't distinguish nor argue about billings, I find that preposterous, so I will still answer these questions for the sake of argument:

So why is the spanish actor top billing? Is his role bigger. Lets be honest buzz or no buzz noone knows who he is

Have we been misled then. The synopsis doesnt suggest he has a smaller role than this unknown actor.

I find that to be a selfish remark for a fan. Role is not the issue here. The issue is SUPPORTING Little Ashes AND Robert Pattinson AND the whole cast and crew likewise. Aside from that, its the community atmosphere of having people work together for a common cause. There is so much to do and to bring out a question like this leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

So based on "equality" - why is Rob second bill? The other actor has virtually zero on his IMDB page

Fans can be vigilant, even become activists, but to insult another cast, that is not going to be acceptable. French, Spanish, Italian, even some German actors who've won AWARDS, in the biggest film festivals around the world has virtually zero on their IMDb pages. Don't rely solely on one source. If you're curious about a particular actor and WHY he' getting some sort of important in a movie, do a research. DON'T JUDGE, BE OBJECTIVE- TRY TO LOOK AND FIND OUT WHY?

i'm surprised you didn't link or mention the little ashes blog(http://littleashesmovie.blogspot.com/) that was started in june. they've been working hard on it and it's sad they weren't mentioned. i know the my space supporting little ashes has taken some of the pictures on there.

I put the link in the original tMF initiative announcement. Did I even link the PROJECT forum here? No. I know about the hard work, everyone is working hard to promote this project. Don't push it. Once the promotional website is launched, we plan to put this blogspot on a prominent space and even ask them to use our resources. Don't assume too much and don't tell me what to link and when.

I would end this by answering this good question:

Jed - You said you'd done some pr work on a Ledger film that didnt do well. Did you learn anything from the experience that can assist with the promotion of Little Ashes

Yes. A lot. People have too much expectations. Some simply have no idea that it takes more than being a big, ardent and hardcore fan of an actor to make a difference. It takes understanding and patience with all those working in the community. As the leader of this group, they all need to be patient and follow me. I'm a very liberal and open-minded person, I can also follow suggestions and idea. I would even alter my own ideas to use someone's because its much better.

But my patience can run thin, especially when people push too hard. My friend and our Editor said it perfectly:

Here at tMF we are big supporters of indie movies and of up-and-coming talent. So anyone who gets involved in this project does so knowing that it's a bigger deal than just being a fan of Robert Pattinson: it's about being a part of a community effort to promote a new indie film that Robert is starring in.

Finally, Let me ask you. If you heard a movie that has Robert in it and he's the last name on the billing, would you stop being a fan and stop supporting him? If yes, then you're not really a fan. You're just riding on the wave, and if you're part of the project I initiated, then please go, I don't want you there.

jed , August 27, 2008

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Personally, I would still support Little Ashes even if Robert only had a minute of screentime and his name wasn't listed anywhere. He isn't the only one in the film.

I am excited to be part of this project. I can't wait to see the finished product both movie and project itself. I really hope it makes a huge difference for the film. I would also think it would mean a lot to those involved with the film to see such a large fanbased project like this.

I know alot of effort is being put into this, so please don't judge unless you really know what is going within the project itself.

Jenbarn76 , August 27, 2008

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Good points. When I'm interested in a film that my favorite actor is in, I get interested in all the other actors working with him as well. Besides, the billing is really none of our business. It's kind of a petty, distasteful thing for fans to bring up. It's about the part, not the billing.

You and your team are doing a wonderful job, Jed.

Marsha , August 27, 2008 | url

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wow, i honestly don't know if this movie is for me... ::sigh:: I guess i can check it out on netflix when ever it comes out.. but i really don't know. @_@
Like I've read a ton of summaries for this movie and it just sounds a little "deep" for me.
But, I really want to support Rob in everything he does, so maybe it could be.. interesting.

sou , August 27, 2008

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Hi

Is it possible for you to put up the photo of Rob on that bicycle. The first banner you used had a tiny shot of him in the street. I'd love to see the close up of that or even the other one where the guy had his back to us.

erica , August 28, 2008

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What happened to the first banner anyway? It was so much more professional looking. I loved it.

jorja , August 28, 2008

A Broader Perspective

As someone who had never heard of either actor before this film was announced, I find all this concern over whose name is listed first to be absolutely absurd! Do you realize that this film concerns two of the most most significant artists of the Twentieth Century, whose works, lives, relationship, and yes, even deaths have left left profound marks on our cultural fabric and even the course of world history? I have not seen this film yet, but this is a story that has fascinated me both as a fellow artist and just a thinking human being for years. It has been crying out to be told, and I am quite pleased to learn that the project seems to have been undertaken by filmmakers who do understand the far-reaching scope and implication of the themes in the story itself. This is a story about so much more than the mundane, celebrity tell-all details of the lives of these two specific individuals. These are themes that form the basis of some of the great challenges and debates of our age.

I do understand that many of you are young Harry Potter fans who likely had never heard of Lorca before, and who know Dali only as a larger-than-life caricature associated with some unusual images, but I do ask you to step back and try to take a broader perspective. If you are interested in the story itself, I suggest you check out the most recent scholarly biographies of the two artists involved, and their collected correspondences, Sebastian's Arrows. I also invite anyone interested in discussing the larger themes and ideas touched upon by this story to drop by my blog at http:/victormv.wordpress.com, because this is the kind of thing that fascinates me, and about which I write there.

Victor Marzowicz-Velasquez , August 29, 2008 | url

p.s.

I had not read Jed's excellent post before I added my own two cents, but having now done so, I would like to add that I really do find it wonderful to see a community of fans rallying around to help an independent film like this, and heartening also to see that someone with experience is coordinating these efforts. I did not mean to minimize Pattinson's fanbase in anyway. It's just that coming from the outside world as someone for whom Federico Garcia Lorca was always a huge inspiration and role model, a "friend I've never met" at a time in my life when I really needed a beacon of light to encourage me and strengthen me in lifting my own voice as an artist and activist, the debate over who is more important to this story seemed preposterous to the point of being disrespectful. So, please forgive me if I seemed at all rude. Very clearly, a project on this small a budget needs to capitalize as well as it can on all it has going for it, and there clearly are a lot more Pattinson fans in this world than people like myself, so your support is invaluable.

For me, I will do whatever I can to help from my sphere. I often feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, but I will continue to bring the film whatever small attention I can from my own world.

And for the record, there are plenty of talented and dedicated artists who have nary a mention in the IMDB, myself among them. Don't confuse mainstream acclaim with heart and creativity, and the drive to contribute whatever one can to the greater cultural dialog.

Victor Marzowicz-Velasquez , August 29, 2008 | url

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