Sky announces start of production in Wales for Save The Cinema, a Sky Original
Production has commenced in Wales for new Sky Original film Save The Cinema, which will be available in cinemas and on Sky Cinema towards the end of 2021. The film is co-produced by Sky and FAE Film & Television in association with Head Gear Films, Lipsync and Ffilm Cymru.
Save The Cinema, a Sky Original features an all-star British cast including Samantha Morton (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them), Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Jonathan Pryce (Game of Thrones), Adeel Akhtar (Enola Holmes), Erin Richards (Gotham), Owain Yeoman (Emergence), Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes), Colm Meaney (Gangs Of London), Rhod Gilbert (Have I Got News For You) and Keith Allen (Kingsman: The Golden Circle). This feel-good story is based on the efforts of one woman bringing together a community to save the local cinema.
Set in the 90’s, Save The Cinema is inspired by the life of Liz Evans, (Samantha Morton), a hairdresser and linchpin to the local community in the small town of Carmarthen in Wales. Her mission is to stop The Lyric Theatre being demolished by bulldozers and turned into a shopping centre. With the threat of demolition becoming ever more likely, Liz and friends barricade themselves in the cinema and with the help of postman turned local councillor Richard (Tom Felton), they come up with a grand plan.
To revitalise the cinema and stop the council taking the heart of the community away, a desperate Liz persuades Richard to write to Hollywood to ask for a helping hand. A phone call later and an influential filmmaker agrees to offer a very special treat for Carmarthen, but does this help save the future of The Lyric?
Save The Cinema, a Sky Original is directed by Welsh director Sara Sugarman (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen), written by Piers Ashworth (Fisherman’s Friends) from a story by Welsh writer Lorraine King, produced by Matt Williams, Piers Tempest and Karl Hall at FAE Film & Television. Sky is majority funding the film with backing from Head Gear Films, Lipsync and Ffilm Cymru Wales with the support of the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales. Executive producers are Julia Stuart, Sarah Wright, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Norman Merry, Peter Hampden and Bizzy Day.
Ffilm Cymru, Carmarthenshire Council, Wales Screen and the production team are working together to ensure everyone on set is following all local and national health and safety legislation and guidance. The production is being filmed in line with the British Film Commission’s Working Safely During COVID-19 in Film and High-end TV Drama Production guidance.