NZ director Toa Fraser (No. 2) and a high-profile cast including Sam Neill and Peter O'Toole are soon to begin work on a movie being jointly funded by and filmed in the UK and NZ. Set in Edwardian England where men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Dean Spanley reveals just how deep the Englishman's love for his dog can go.

Image: Director Toa Fraser.Fisk Senior has little time and less affection for his adult son but when the pair attend a lecture hosted by a cricket mad Indian Nawab they begin a strange journey that will eventually allow the old man to find his heart. The title role will be played by Sam Neill, with Peter O'Toole and Jeremy Northam as the father and son, and Bryan Brown as the man from the Colonies.

Dean Spanley is being produced by Aucklander Matthew Metcalfe (Nemesis Game, The Ferryman) and London-based New Zealander Alan Harris, who co-produced The Ferryman.

Three UK investors are providing the majority of the financing. The principal investor is Aramid Entertainment, with Lipsync Productions and Screen East's content investment fund.

The cinematographer will be Leon Narbey, who has photographed more than a dozen New Zealand feature films including the international hit Whale Rider. Production designer will be New Zealander Andrew McAlpine whose credits include Jane Campion's The Piano and Roger Donaldson's The Recruit.

The film's editor will be Chris Plummer whose most recent credits are Black Sheep, No 2 and In My Father's Den. The composer is to be Don McGlashan, whose music has featured in Out Of The Blue, An Angel At My Table and Footrot Flats.

Dean Spanley has been written by Alan Sharp, a Scottish-born New Zealand resident whose credits include the 1995 British feature Rob Roy.

5/11/07