For Immediate Release
Dutch Film Legend Rutger Hauer to Executive Produce Kalliope Films’ “Van Gogh” Biopic.
Vincent Van Gogh biopic headed to the big screen in honor of the 125th anniversary of Van Gogh’s passing.
NEW YORK, NY — Golden Globe Award-winning Dutch screen legend, ‘Sir’ Rutger Hauer (“Blade Runner”, “Sin City”, HBO’s “True Blood”), is teaming up with Kalliope Films to executive produce the biopic “Van Gogh”. Rutger was recently knighted by the commissioner of the Dutch King in honor of his prolific film career which has spanned over five decades. “I feel there is so much more to tell about ‘the man who cut off his ear’. It will be a great adventure to search for him in a contemporary film,” says Rutger.
The biopic film entitled, “Van Gogh,” will be the first English language feature film about the life of Vincent Van Gogh since the 1956 movie “Lust for Life” which starred Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh. The movie will also be the first film to portray Vincent’s entire life story. Previous feature films and TV productions about Van Gogh have tended to focus mainly on the second half of his life after his mental illness fully manifested itself. This was the case with the 1990 made for TV movie, ‘Vincent and Theo’ which starred Tim Roth.
Kalliope Films is producing “Van Gogh”. Kira Madallo Sesay (“Hamlet”), CEO of Kalliope Films, is the producer and also the writer of the script. Emiel Pijnaker, Kalliope Films’ President of Production, is co-producing the film. The movie is financed through a combination of European equity, soft money and pre-sales.
The producers plan to film “Van Gogh” in 2014. The goal is to release the film internationally in 2015 to honor the 125th anniversary of Vincent’s passing. The movie will be filmed on location throughout Europe in the various countries where Van Gogh lived, such as Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Many of the residences where Vincent lived are still standing and in good condition.
Several of the world’s foremost experts on Van Gogh are attached as the film’s official consultants, including acclaimed Van Gogh book author and expert Alain Amiel. For historical accuracy, several experts of Van Gogh’s time period are on board such as Claudia Schottle who is consulting the filmmakers on life in France during the 19th Century.
“In preparation for the film, we have spent over five years doing extensive ‘on the ground’ research. We have traveled like ‘Van Gogh detectives’ to every location and country where he lived, uncovering archives, historical documents and literally walking in his footsteps. We have also worked closely with our international team of Van Gogh experts who are advising us on the film to ensure accuracy. Therefore, we feel confident that we have done the utmost preparation possible to do justice in portraying the life of this extraordinary man.” says, Kira Madallo Sesay CEO of Kalliope Films and producer/writer of “Van Gogh.”
The producers are in the process of finalizing the selection of the film’s director. They are currently seeking the ideal actor to play the iconic and challenging role of Vincent Van Gogh.
“Van Gogh” Synopsis:
Vincent Van Gogh’s life was a masterpiece painted with the dueling colors of madness versus genius. However, this inner battle gave birth to some of the greatest works of art known to man. The film traces Van Gogh’s journey through the many twists and turns of his tumultuous and exciting life.
Written by: Kira Madallo Sesay
About Kalliope Films:
Kalliope Films is a film production company founded by producer/writer Kira Madallo Sesay. The company’s mission is to produce high quality, entertaining and profitable feature films of varying genres for an international audience. Kalliope Films recognizes the importance of keeping up with the constantly evolving world of film production in the new millennium. Always open to new ideas and collaborations, the company works in conjunction with various international co-producers. Kalliope Films has offices in Europe and the US. The company’s name is a homage to Kalliope, the Greek mythological muse of epic poetry. Kalliope is renowned for inspiring writers. She is also known as “Homer’s muse” because she inspired him in his writing of the Iliad and the Odyssey. The word Kalliope means “beautiful voice”, exemplifying the beauty of the ‘voice’ of the writer/poet.
For more information please visit: www.KalliopeFilms.com