NZ filmmaker Niki Caro is to direct a screen adaptation of The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox. An irresistible story of love, wine and angels, it tells the tale of Sobran, a peasant wine-maker in 19th century France and his life-long relationship with an angel as they grapple with the sensual, the sacred and the profane in search of the perfect vintage.

Image: Writer/director Niki Caro.NZ filmmaker Niki Caro is to direct a screen adaptation of The Vintner's Luck by Elizabeth Knox. An irresistible story of love, wine and angels, it tells the tale of Sobran, a peasant wine-maker in 19th century France and his life-long relationship with an angel as they grapple with the sensual, the sacred and the profane in search of the perfect vintage.

Image: Writer/director Niki Caro.Pre-production commences at the end of the year, with principal photography starting in February 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand before moving in March to the Burgundy region of France then to Belgium.

Caro wrote the screenplay with Joan Scheckel.

The Vintner's Luck stars Jeremie Renier (The Child), Gaspard Ulliel (Young Hannibal), Vera Farmiga (The Departed), Maria Ruiz (Summer Rain) and Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider).

Director of Photography is Denis Lenoir (Paris Je T'aime), production designer is Academy Award-winner Grant Major (The Lord Of The Rings trilogy; Whale Rider) and the editor is long time Caro-collaborator David Coulson (Whale Rider; North Country) with special effects by Harry Harrison.

22/5/07