US stars Giovanni Ribisi (Friends, My Name is Earl), William Sadler (August Rush, The Shawshank Redemption), Anthony Lapaglia (Frasier, Without a Trace) and British actors Ian Hart (Dirt, Finding Neverland) and Tony Curran (Underworld: Evolution, The Good German) are all set to star in Irish actor Jason Barry’s feature directorial debut ‘Mineville’.
Dublin-born Barry, who acted alongside Leonardo di Caprio in ‘Titanic’ as well as starring starred in John Deery’s ‘Conspiracy of Silence’ and TV drama ‘Whiskey Echo’, will direct from a script by Lori Kelley Bailey.
The $20 million budget film begins a ten week shoot on location in New York on September 22nd, 2008. The film is the first project to be produced by Barry and his wife Nicola Charles Barry through their production company Marathon Pictures LA.
‘Mineville’ tells the true story of Irish immigrant workers who mined the Iron Ore to build the then new city of Manhattan in 1910. This story follows two men from opposite ends of society struggling against their own demons to break free of their upbringing. As a glimmer of hope appears on the horizon in the form of a wealthy so-called Union Leader their dreams are shattered as they watch him take control of their town and ultimately their destinies.
“Jason and I are really excited about the film,” Nicola Charles Barry told IFTN. “It’s a great script, and a story that hasn’t been told before. We are in talks with some A-list stars to play lead roles, and hope to get some Irish talent on board. We will be shooting in the Adirondack Mountains in New York, which will make for some beautiful scenic shots.”
‘Mineville’ is executive produced by Nigel Odell of Arclight Films. DOP on the shoot is Jason Lehel (Conspiracy of Silence).
The project is funded through a combination of private sector funding, New York State Film Board and I Love NY tax breaks.
For more info go to www.minevillethemovie.com.
