Cambridge film-lovers were the first in Britain to see the film adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel The Butterfly Tattoo. The screening, which was part of the Cambridge Film Festival, was followed by a question and answer session with director Phil Hawkins and stars Jessica Blake (Jenny), Duncan Stuart (Chris) and Christopher Dane (Fletcher).
Phil Hawkins, director last year’s film adaptation of Philip Pullman’s The Butterfly Tattoo, has recently posted on the surge in online popularity of the award-winning film in the wake of its DVD release. However, although the film is currently IMDb’s 75th most researched title, it has met neither proportionate financial return for the investors, nor better prospects for theatre distribution.
Though TBT can now claim online distribution upward of 200 000 copies (a conservative estimate), cast and crew are left with mixed feelings. “Great for my career, terrible for my wallet,” commented lead actress Jessica Blake, who plays Jenny. “[...] we are a little indie film which has only had a small release in the US. How do the tens of thousands of people know it exists?” While Hawkins recognises the publicity power of illegal downloading, he also points out, “For our film, however, it is hurting us financially. [...] we haven’t recouped the budget yet.” Producer Rik Visser described the situation as, “two years of work downloaded in six minutes.”
As an early supporter of The Butterfly Tattoo project, the community at BridgetotheStars.net strongly recommends that you to buy a legal copy of the film and support independent film making. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Netflix are currently stocking. While you wait for your DVD delivery, join the discussion on the director’s philmblog or at our forum, the Republic of Heaven.
In the Los Angeles area this weekend? The film adaptation of Pullman’s The Butterfly Tattoo was released to non-festival audiences yesterday. Catch the seven remaining screenings at Laemmle’s Grande 4-plex on 345 South Figueroa Street in downtown L.A. The film shows Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, 510pm, and 930pm, once more on Monday at 510pm, and throughout the week of the 19th. “The rollout of the film to other cities depends on the box office that weekend so please, please go and support the film!”
We’re happy to announce that American audiences will get to see Dynamic Entertainment DEH’s adaptation of The Butterfly Tattoo in select cinemas starting Friday, 17th April. The film screened also last week at the Beaufort International Film Festival in South Carolina where it was honoured Best Feature Film. Congratulations!
If you can’t wait until April and you’re around San Francisco, check out the Tiburon International Film Festival which will screen the film next Friday evening, 20 March. Ticket are available online.
Visit the film’s official website for more details about the production. A European release date will be announced soon.
Fans anxiously waiting for news can now look forward to screening the recent film adaptation of Philip Pullman’s The Butterfly Tattoo. The winner of several awards at film festivals in both America and Europe will be distributed by indie distributors ITN and Cinema Epoch to cinemas and on DVD in the American box office in 2009. ITN has also licensed the film for distribution in Russia, the Middle East, and Benelux, and will further present the film at festivals to other international distributors. Release dates to follow. (can’t wait!)
Online magazine Pulp Online features a highly positive review of budget movie ‘The Butterfly Tattoo’. The reviewer remarks that if and when the film gains general release, he hopes to ’see it again and again’. Read it in full here.
The UK premiere of The Butterfly Tattoo movie was last night at Cornerhouse in Manchester. The Culturewitch blog was there and has reviewed it already. You can read it here. If you were present at the screening last night, why not let us know what you thoughts.
Addenum: Sister blog to Culturewitch, Bookwitch, adds its two pennies worth on Butterfly Tattoo here.
Subsequent to our report a couple of days ago that ‘The Butterfly Tattoo’ movie is to have a special screening at Cornerhouse, Manchester in its UK premiere, we can also now add that Dynamic Entertainment have released an extended trailer which runs for about 1 minute longer that the previous teaser that had been released. You can watch the video here, or in the embedded player just below.
A special screening of The Butterfly Tattoo will take place Wednesday, 26 November at the Cornerhouse Cinema in Manchester as part of the Exposures Film Festival. The film begins at 8pm and the screening will include a question and answer session with the cast and crew. Seating is limited but you can call the box office at 0161 200 1500 to reserve your tickets.
Click here for the festival programme or visit the film’s official site for more details.