The film version of the Frank McCourt novel, 'Angela's Ashes' directed by Alan Parker started shooting in Dublin on Monday of this week.
The film version of the Frank McCourt novel, 'Angela's Ashes' directed by Alan Parker started shooting in Dublin on Monday of this week.
Hubbard Casting, who cast Parker's last Irish film 'The Commitments' eight years ago was set the task of find three actors to play the same Frank McCourt at different ages, one from five to eight years, another from eight to thirteen and a third from thirteen to seventeen. Ciaran Owen is to play Frank from eight to thirteen, the main character age in the film, who has just finished working on Anjelica Huston's film 'The Mammy' and is the brother of Eamonn Owens who played the title role in Neil Jordan's 'The Butcher Boy'.
The role of five to eight year old frank is played by first-time actor Joe Breen from Wexford and the role of the older Frank is played by Michael Legge, a nineteen year old from Newry, who has worked as an actor in theatre and television. Oscar Nominated Emily Watson plays Angela McCourt having recently appeared in another Irish film, Jim Sheridan's 'The Boxer' and Robert Carlyle of 'The Full Monty' and 'Trainspotting' fame plays the Father Malachy. Other Irish actors with roles include Ronnie Masterson (as Grandma), Pauline McLynn (Aunt Aggie), Liam Carney and Eanna MacLiam.
The Films budget is in the region of $20 million financed by Paramount Pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. The film is being produced by Parker and Hollywood Heavyweights Scott Rudin (The Truman Show) and David Brown(Deep Impact), who had bought the film rights to the book. Other key crew members include lighting cameraman Michael Seresin, camera operator Mike Roberts, film editor Gerry Hambling, production designer Geoffrey Kirkland and Irish costume designer, Consolata Boyle.
The film is due to be released next April.
Michael McMahon 24/9/98