News
From the Page to the Big Screen
Published 21.04.08
A story by Manchester writer, Sarah Tierney is being made into a film by aspiring director, Andrew Haigh, whose editorial credits include Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.
The story, Five Miles Out, was written for and first published in 2004 by Comma Press as part of their ‘new author’ anthology, Bracket, catching the attention of Haigh when it was reviewed in the national press. The dream of adapting the story into a film was only realized when the script was selected for the Cinema Extreme project – an annual Film Four and UK Film Council scheme that selects and fully finances four short films by emerging directors.
“It’s great that Andrew read my story and liked it enough to want to make it into a film. I’m also really pleased that it’s being made as part of the Cinema Extreme programme, because I’ve heard good things about it. It will be interesting to see how they interpret it” Sarah said.
Five Miles Out tells the story of a teenage girl who forges a friendship with a mysterious boy whilst on holiday in Flambrough Head, as the girl comes to terms with her sister’s battle with anorexia.
Comma Press Founder, Ra Page, explains how the story could lend itself to a film adaptation: “As we were sifting through the manuscripts for Bracket, Sarah’s story instantly shone out, above the others, for its sense of complete intimacy. Everything about the story was visual and vivid and memorable. That said, it’ll take a very good director to improve on the visuals of the original.”
The film will be shot on location in the summer, completed in time for the London Film Festival in October.
