Production is currently underway on the set of horror film, ‘Citadel’, an Irish/ UK co-production starring Aneurin Barnard (Owl Creek Bridge) and James Cosmo (Braveheart). The project is the debut feature from writer/director Ciarán Foy and will shoot in Glasgow and Dublin.
‘Citadel’ sees packs of twisted feral children prowl the dark urban landscape of Edenstown, the council estate from Hell. Concealed beneath hooded tops, they attack innocent adults with septic syringes to harvest their blood and abduct small children to swell their ranks. Abandoned by the police, the small community that remains is plagued by the brutal and rampant gangs that few truly understand. Emerging at night, they are especially drawn to anyone showing fear - in fact they can see it and sense it. The story is inspired by Ciarán Foy’s own experiences of an unprovoked urban attack and the resulting agoraphobia.
The feature’s other cast members include Wunmi Mosuka (I am Slave), Ingrid Craigie (The Dead) and Amy Shiels (Cowboys and Angels). The feature is being produced by Katie Holly (Sensation) and Brian Coffey (associate producer, Perfect Sense). Executive Producers are Kieron J. Walsh (producer, Come on Eileen), Gillian Berrie (Mister Foe) and David Mackenzie.
‘Citadel’ will shoot for three weeks on location and in studio in Glasgow and for one week on location in Dublin. The Blinder Films and Sigma Films Co-Production has a budget of just under €3 million and is funded by the Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, Creative Scotland, Section 481 and UK Tax Credit.
In a statement producers Katie Holly and Brian Coffey commented on the working conditions facing crew on location during the recent spate of cold weather: “In these truly Siberian conditions we’ve had to face all kinds of issues – cancelled flights, impassable roads, freezing conditions – a snow plough was even drafted in to preserve this already ambitious schedule. It’s ironic given that we’re shooting a film where the central character is afflicted with agoraphobia that we have to spend so much time out of doors! We’re just thrilled that we have such an amazingly resilient, adaptable and committed cast and crew who are battling the elements to get us through and we are literally ploughing on despite everything that has been thrown at us. Spirits are high, the performances are amazing, the material fantastic and Citadel’s off to Dublin come wind, hail or snow.”
Talking about producing Foy’s feature film debut, they said: “We are very excited to be supporting Ciarán Foy’s first feature film with whom we have already worked on a number of short films. ‘Citadel’ is one of twelve official Irish co-productions that has gone into production this year and is one of five Irish films currently in production. We are delighted to be partnering with Creative Scotland on this project and to be supporting Bl!nder Films, a young Irish company which is going from strength to strength, with ‘Citadel’ being their third feature film to close this year.”
‘Citadel’ is due for release in Autumn 2011.
