Dutch screen legend Rutger Hauer to produce Vincent Van Gogh biopicSeptember 17, 2013 - 16:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Plans to mount an English-language biopic of legendary Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh have gotten the nod of approval from another famous Dutchman, Rutger Hauer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hauer, the star of Blade Runner and TV's True Blood, has come aboard Van Gogh as an executive producer for the big-screen treatment of the world-famous artist behind such famous paintings as Sunflowers and Starry Night. The project will be produced and written by Kira Madallo Sesay, the CEO of U.S.- and Europe-based production banner Kalliope Films. The backers aim to release the biopic on or around the 125th anniversary of Van Gogh's death in 2015. The script details the story of the painter, whose work displays his genius and madness in equal measure. "I feel there is so much more to tell about 'the man who cut off his ear.' It will be a great adventure to search for him in a contemporary film," said Hauer. Van Gogh will be the first English-language feature film about the life of the artist since the 1956 movie Lust for Life, starring Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh. The movie backers also claim it will be the first project to portray Van Gogh's entire life story, with previous film and TV attempts focusing on the second half of his life, after his mental illness fully manifested itself. Kalliope Films president of production Emiel Pijnaker is co-producing the film with backing from a combination of European equity, soft money and presales. The movie will be filmed on location throughout Europe in the various countries where Van Gogh lived, such as Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Several of the world's experts on Van Gogh are attached as the film's official consultants, including the acclaimed Alain Amiel. "In preparation for the film, we have spent over five years doing extensive 'on the ground' research. We have traveled like 'Van Gogh detectives' to every location and country where he lived, uncovering archives, historical documents and literally walking in his footsteps," said Sesay. The project is out to directors now. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |