Miramax Films, Film4 pact with Ruby Films

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Miramax, Film4 pact with Ruby Films

Trio co-developing 'Stalin,' 'Friends Like These'

Owen

Trijbits

By Adam Dawtrey
Variety
March 11, 2008

Miramax Films and Film4 have struck a development and production deal with Alison Owen and Paul Trijbits of Ruby Films, the British company behind "The Other Boleyn Girl."

Overall deal is Miramax's first anywhere in the world since Daniel Battsek moved from Disney's London office to run the studio's specialty division in 2005.

The three-year pact gives Miramax and Film4 first look to co-develop and co-produce Ruby features. Miramax will take worldwide rights to movies made under the partnership, with Film4 retaining U.K. TV rights.

Miramax and Film4 are already working with Ruby to develop "Young Stalin," directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. John Hodge is writing the adaptation of Simon Sebag Montefiore's bestselling biography, which recounts the Soviet dictator's early years as a charismatic terrorist in Georgia at the turn of the 20th century.

Also in co-development is "Friends Like These" based on the book by British humorist Danny Wallace about what happened when he decided to track down his 12 best friends from childhood.

Owen, who received an Oscar nomination for "Elizabeth" in 1999, founded Ruby a decade ago, producing such pics as "Sylvia," "Proof," and "Brick Lane." Trijbits became her partner last year after six years as head of the U.K. Film Council's New Cinema Fund.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=13&cs=1