British Film Sells to American Market in Toughest Film Market on Earth - Cannes

British Film Sells to American Market in Toughest Film Market on Earth - Cannes

LONDON and CANNES, France, May 19/PRNewswire/ --

- Small UK Indie Film Tackling Subject of Asylum Seeking Gets Snapped up by Leading US Film Company

Acclaimed new independent British feature film, Gypo, has been snapped up by a leading US film company for distribution across America at this year's Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first British film at Cannes to secure a major US distribution deal.

Against the backdrop of the internationally contentious subject of asylum seekers, the film is written and directed by independent filmmaker Jan Dunn and produced by Elaine Wickham of Medb Films, the film is set entirely on location around the Kent coastline.

Swipe Films also sold the film for UK distribution to the leading UK distributor, Redbus Film Distribution, the company behind such hits as Bend It Like Beckham and the forthcoming feature, It's All Gone Pete Tong. The film was backed by Screen South, the regional film agency for the south coast of England.

Gypo received its world premiere in the Cannes market this week and instantly became one of hottest films at Cannes. It has been bought by the leading US distributor Wolfe LLC. The deal was negotiated by Frank Mannion of London-based Swipe Films.

Gypo was shot in 13 days and it the first ever British film to adhere to the dogme95 rules of chastity created by renowned Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier. The film is shot in a documentary style and tells the story of the disintegration of an ordinary family when their teenage daughter befriends a refugee girl with a stunning twist in the tale.

Presented in three revelatory narratives, each told from a particular character's point of view, Gypo exposes the tabloid sensationalism surrounding refugees and the fears that perpetuate the myths.

It's a film about fear, love, passion, struggle and escape and stars Pauline McLynn, best known for her role as Mrs Doyle in `Father Ted', Paul McGann (Withnail and I, Alien 3) Rula Lenska and newcomers, Chloe Sirene and Tamzin Dunstone.

Official website: www.gypothefilm.co.uk

http://www.swipefilms.com

Source: Swipe Films

For further information contact: Frank Mannion, Swipe Films, Tel: +44(0)207-851-8602, Fax: +44(0)207-792-3933, Email: inquiries@swipefilms.com

------- Profile: Ent