Irish actor Stuart Townsend’s IFTA-nominated writing/directing debut ‘Battle in Seattle’ is set to open the 34th Seattle International Film Festival, which takes place from 22nd May – June 15th 2008.
’Battle in Seattle’ is the story of a handful of characters who find themselves thrust into the chaos of the infamous anti-globalization protests against the WTO that shook Seattle in the fall of 1999.
The film boasts a stellar cast that includes Charlize Theron (Monster, The Cider House Rules), Martin Henderson (Smokin’ Aces, Little Fish), Woody Harrelson (No Country for Old Men, Transiberian), André Benjamin (Be Cool, Hollywood Homicide), Michelle Rodriguez (Lost, Blue Crush), Ray Liotta (Wild Hogs, Control) and Joshua Jackson (Dawson’s Creek).
Townsend, whose acting career saw him star in films including ‘About Adam’, ‘Shooting Fish’ and ‘Queen of the Damned’, shot ‘Battle in Seattle’ on location in Canada in late 2006, with some scenes shot in Seattle itself.
Charlize Theron, Martin Henderson and Stuart Townsend are expected to attend the opening night gala screening.
"We're delighted to present an opening night film that will resonate with so many Seattleites," says SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. "In his feature debut as a director, actor Stuart Townsend has crafted a remarkable and entertaining movie. It's also a terrific fit for SIFF since it has such relevance to our collective history and sense of place."
For more info on the festival go to www.siff.net.
