Cherie Blair is heading to the Monaco Streaming Film Festival at the end of May to discuss project The Rock Pile.
This one has been in development for a few years with Blair attached as exec-producer in her first film role.
The project has gone through some changes since we last wrote about it pre-pandemic. It will now follow a female Time magazine correspondent who while on assignment in Jerusalem uncovers a story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through soccer. Hugh Bonneville is no longer attached.
Alexandra Milchan, exec producer on The Wolf Of Wall Street and producer on upcoming Cate Blanchett movie Tar, is now producing.
John Deery (Conspiracy Of Silence) is still aboard to direct the English-language film and will attend the Riviera festival with Blair. David McBrayer (Beat The Drum) has scripted the project which is also produced by Deery for Joejack Entertainment,...
This one has been in development for a few years with Blair attached as exec-producer in her first film role.
The project has gone through some changes since we last wrote about it pre-pandemic. It will now follow a female Time magazine correspondent who while on assignment in Jerusalem uncovers a story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through soccer. Hugh Bonneville is no longer attached.
Alexandra Milchan, exec producer on The Wolf Of Wall Street and producer on upcoming Cate Blanchett movie Tar, is now producing.
John Deery (Conspiracy Of Silence) is still aboard to direct the English-language film and will attend the Riviera festival with Blair. David McBrayer (Beat The Drum) has scripted the project which is also produced by Deery for Joejack Entertainment,...
- 4/21/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
English-language drama revolves around three boys from different sides of the conflict united by football.
Cherie Blair has boarded UK director John Deery’s long-gestating Jerusalem-set drama The Rock Pile. The film explores the Middle East conflict through the tale of a jaded war correspondent assigned to city where he befriends three young boys divided by religion but united by soccer.
Hugh Bonneville, who previously worked with Deery on his 2003 Irish Catholic Church drama Conspiracy Of Silence, signed to play the lead role in 2017.
Blair has taken an executive producer credit and it marks a first foray into film for...
Cherie Blair has boarded UK director John Deery’s long-gestating Jerusalem-set drama The Rock Pile. The film explores the Middle East conflict through the tale of a jaded war correspondent assigned to city where he befriends three young boys divided by religion but united by soccer.
Hugh Bonneville, who previously worked with Deery on his 2003 Irish Catholic Church drama Conspiracy Of Silence, signed to play the lead role in 2017.
Blair has taken an executive producer credit and it marks a first foray into film for...
- 6/19/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Cherie Blair will make her first foray into film-making as she serves as executive producer on Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) drama The Rock Pile.
The barrister and wife of former UK prime minister Tony Blair is taking on her first producing role on the film, which will tell the story of Time magazine correspondent Bob Hastings (played by Bonneville) who while on assignment in Jerusalem uncovers a story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through soccer.
John Deery (Conspiracy Of Silence) is set to direct the English-language film with shoot planned to take place in New York and Israel. David McBrayer (Beat The Drum) has scripted the project which is produced by Deery for Joejack Entertainment, McBrayer for Z Productions and Haim Mecklberg for 2-Teams Productions (Sand Storm).
Also executive-producing are Charles Moore (The Lady In The Van), Gabriela Christian-Hare (The Pinkertons), Rick McCallum (Star...
The barrister and wife of former UK prime minister Tony Blair is taking on her first producing role on the film, which will tell the story of Time magazine correspondent Bob Hastings (played by Bonneville) who while on assignment in Jerusalem uncovers a story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through soccer.
John Deery (Conspiracy Of Silence) is set to direct the English-language film with shoot planned to take place in New York and Israel. David McBrayer (Beat The Drum) has scripted the project which is produced by Deery for Joejack Entertainment, McBrayer for Z Productions and Haim Mecklberg for 2-Teams Productions (Sand Storm).
Also executive-producing are Charles Moore (The Lady In The Van), Gabriela Christian-Hare (The Pinkertons), Rick McCallum (Star...
- 6/19/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Hope Davis also joins John Deery’s Israel-Palestine drama.
Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hope Davis (American Crime) and Alan Ritchson (Hunger Games: Catching Fire) have joined Middle East-set drama The Rock Pile.
The film is directed by John Deery (Conspiracy of Silence), written by David McBrayer (Beat the Drum) and produced by Joejack Entertainment, Z Productions LLC and 2-Teams Productions.
It is also being produced with the support of the Jerusalem Film Fund and the Palestinian community.
The producers are in the process of appointing a sales agent. Worldwide rights for the film are currently available.
Executive producers are Charles Moore (Lady In The Van), Penny Wolf, Rick McCallum (A United Kingdom) and Mark Foligno (The King’s Speech).
The Rock Pile follows the story of British journalist Bob Hastings, played by Bonneville, who is relocated to Jerusalem. There he learns the story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through football.
“There...
Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hope Davis (American Crime) and Alan Ritchson (Hunger Games: Catching Fire) have joined Middle East-set drama The Rock Pile.
The film is directed by John Deery (Conspiracy of Silence), written by David McBrayer (Beat the Drum) and produced by Joejack Entertainment, Z Productions LLC and 2-Teams Productions.
It is also being produced with the support of the Jerusalem Film Fund and the Palestinian community.
The producers are in the process of appointing a sales agent. Worldwide rights for the film are currently available.
Executive producers are Charles Moore (Lady In The Van), Penny Wolf, Rick McCallum (A United Kingdom) and Mark Foligno (The King’s Speech).
The Rock Pile follows the story of British journalist Bob Hastings, played by Bonneville, who is relocated to Jerusalem. There he learns the story of three young boys of different faiths who are brought together through football.
“There...
- 6/14/2017
- ScreenDaily
Hugh Bonneville, Hope Davis and Alan Ritchson are attached to star in The Rock Pile for London-based banner Joejack Entertainment. Directed by John Deery and written by David McBrayer, the film tells the story of British journalist Bob Hastings, a Time Magazine war correspondent who, after following traumatic events both at home and in the Middle East, is reassigned to Jerusalem. In this divided city, he finds his own redemption and a sense of reconciliation when he…...
- 6/14/2017
- Deadline
Our International Sales Agent (Isa) of the Day coverage resumed for this year's Cannes Film Festival. We feature successful, upcoming, innovative and trailblazing agents from around the world (during and after the festival) and cover the latest trends in sales and distribution. Beyond the numbers and deals, this segment will also share inspirational and unique stories of how these individuals have evolved and paved their way in the industry, and what they envision for the new waves in global cinema.
Angel Grace Productions is based in Los Angeles, and was created with over night inspiration by Michael Fister, who has 22 years of experience in the film industry. His interest in international film sales and distribution is also influenced by his experience growing up around the world.
The Angel Grace VP of Acquisitions Linda Posivak notes, "One thing that sets Michael apart from many, is that it's not just a job. It's his passion. He knows in his heart that this is where he should be. He feels and breathes it. It's more than just a job to him."
Michael has kicked off the Angel Grace slate with the Nora Ephron prizewinner "Farah Goes Bang" by Meera Menon, and "Conspiracy of Silence" (by John Deery) starring Academy Award winner Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot), and Golden Globe nominee Hugh Bonneville (Downtown Abbey). Angel Grace is quickly expanding and will go from acquisitions to productions later this year.
Michael talks about how he started Angel Grace and more about his drive to share meaningful films:
How did you start Angel Grace?
I worked as an executive at ABC and Turner Pictures. I caught the festival and market bug back then, but went on a detour for several years, working on the creative agency side with the studios (doing one sheets and trailers). A few years ago, I realized I was really missing the craziness and excitement of festivals and markets, so I got my toes wet and came back to Cannes. I knew this was what I was supposed to be doing.
I've been doing this work through various ways and means, but it was really just less than a year ago when I woke up in the middle of the night and realized I needed to do this on my own. Then then one day I just said, "I'm going to Berlin!" Within 24 hours, I had both of my films; 24 hours, I'm not kidding! Obviously, I had met the filmmakers prior (and the films were on my radar) but I just picked up the phone, called them and it all fell into place. It's great, and I'm happy to be here.
Please talk about the Angel Grace slate.
I brought two films to Cannes. One is "Farah Goes Bang", which had just won the Nora Ephron prize at the Tribeca Film Festival. It's a fun and sweet "girl road comedy". The girls are best friends, and they're on the road campaigning for John Kerry. Two of the girls are also trying to get the third girl to lose her virginity during the road trip. The fact that it won the esteemed Norah Ephron prize says a lot, and you immediately know that it's not tacky or sleazy. Instead, it's witty, funny and very sweet.
The second film is "Conspiracy of Silence", with Academy Award winner Brenda Fricker, and Hugh Bonneville from Downtown Abbey. It was actually Chris O'Dowd's film debut. It's an older thriller that never got the release it deserved. It partially deals with things that have gone on in the Catholic Church. I had been talking to the director about his newer projects, and then I saw this film as a sample of his work and fell in love with it. It won a National Board of Review Award, and a few nominations at the Irish Film and Television Awards including Best Director. It's a powerful movie that is actually more relevant in today's society than when it was made.
Clearly, I'm not afraid of difficult films!
What do you consider when choosing films for Angel Grace?
I go with my gut feeling when I choose films, and gravitate more toward festival films, which tend to be more director or cast driven. It's really the niche that we'll stay in.
I'm open to most genres; although I'm not interested in things like horror or slasher movies, especially with a name like Angel Grace. I'm open to anything that's good, and I want to put positivity out there through the films that we choose.
Personally and professionally speaking, I tend to lean more towards drama, art house, and poignant films. There are a lot of movies out there at festivals that deserve to be seen. Hopefully, I can help those films that would otherwise get lost in the shuffle--that's when I really feel I’m accomplishing something.
Aside from the business, why do you do this work?
Other than Tribeca, "Farah Goes Bang" has won several other festivals over the past few months. Women in the audience are actually saying they are finding their voice in this movie, and in this character of Farah. That means something, and I think it's important to share films that can impact people's lives like that.
Learn more about the Angel Grace Productions films here.
More about Angel Grace Productions:
Founded in 2013 by veteran film marketing executive Michael Fister, Angel Grace Productions (Agp) acquires and sells all rights with a focus on festival-driven feature films. Our business model is simple: “We only work on films we truly care about.”...
Angel Grace Productions is based in Los Angeles, and was created with over night inspiration by Michael Fister, who has 22 years of experience in the film industry. His interest in international film sales and distribution is also influenced by his experience growing up around the world.
The Angel Grace VP of Acquisitions Linda Posivak notes, "One thing that sets Michael apart from many, is that it's not just a job. It's his passion. He knows in his heart that this is where he should be. He feels and breathes it. It's more than just a job to him."
Michael has kicked off the Angel Grace slate with the Nora Ephron prizewinner "Farah Goes Bang" by Meera Menon, and "Conspiracy of Silence" (by John Deery) starring Academy Award winner Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot), and Golden Globe nominee Hugh Bonneville (Downtown Abbey). Angel Grace is quickly expanding and will go from acquisitions to productions later this year.
Michael talks about how he started Angel Grace and more about his drive to share meaningful films:
How did you start Angel Grace?
I worked as an executive at ABC and Turner Pictures. I caught the festival and market bug back then, but went on a detour for several years, working on the creative agency side with the studios (doing one sheets and trailers). A few years ago, I realized I was really missing the craziness and excitement of festivals and markets, so I got my toes wet and came back to Cannes. I knew this was what I was supposed to be doing.
I've been doing this work through various ways and means, but it was really just less than a year ago when I woke up in the middle of the night and realized I needed to do this on my own. Then then one day I just said, "I'm going to Berlin!" Within 24 hours, I had both of my films; 24 hours, I'm not kidding! Obviously, I had met the filmmakers prior (and the films were on my radar) but I just picked up the phone, called them and it all fell into place. It's great, and I'm happy to be here.
Please talk about the Angel Grace slate.
I brought two films to Cannes. One is "Farah Goes Bang", which had just won the Nora Ephron prize at the Tribeca Film Festival. It's a fun and sweet "girl road comedy". The girls are best friends, and they're on the road campaigning for John Kerry. Two of the girls are also trying to get the third girl to lose her virginity during the road trip. The fact that it won the esteemed Norah Ephron prize says a lot, and you immediately know that it's not tacky or sleazy. Instead, it's witty, funny and very sweet.
The second film is "Conspiracy of Silence", with Academy Award winner Brenda Fricker, and Hugh Bonneville from Downtown Abbey. It was actually Chris O'Dowd's film debut. It's an older thriller that never got the release it deserved. It partially deals with things that have gone on in the Catholic Church. I had been talking to the director about his newer projects, and then I saw this film as a sample of his work and fell in love with it. It won a National Board of Review Award, and a few nominations at the Irish Film and Television Awards including Best Director. It's a powerful movie that is actually more relevant in today's society than when it was made.
Clearly, I'm not afraid of difficult films!
What do you consider when choosing films for Angel Grace?
I go with my gut feeling when I choose films, and gravitate more toward festival films, which tend to be more director or cast driven. It's really the niche that we'll stay in.
I'm open to most genres; although I'm not interested in things like horror or slasher movies, especially with a name like Angel Grace. I'm open to anything that's good, and I want to put positivity out there through the films that we choose.
Personally and professionally speaking, I tend to lean more towards drama, art house, and poignant films. There are a lot of movies out there at festivals that deserve to be seen. Hopefully, I can help those films that would otherwise get lost in the shuffle--that's when I really feel I’m accomplishing something.
Aside from the business, why do you do this work?
Other than Tribeca, "Farah Goes Bang" has won several other festivals over the past few months. Women in the audience are actually saying they are finding their voice in this movie, and in this character of Farah. That means something, and I think it's important to share films that can impact people's lives like that.
Learn more about the Angel Grace Productions films here.
More about Angel Grace Productions:
Founded in 2013 by veteran film marketing executive Michael Fister, Angel Grace Productions (Agp) acquires and sells all rights with a focus on festival-driven feature films. Our business model is simple: “We only work on films we truly care about.”...
- 6/6/2014
- by Erin Grover
- Sydney's Buzz
Us-based sales agency arrives with a slate including Meera Menon’s Farah Goes Bang.
Veteran marketing executive Michael Fister [pictured] has launched the Us-based sales agency Angel Grace Productions at the Efm.
Fister, a former Turner Pictures Worldwide and ABC Television network executive, arrives with a slate that includes Meera Menon’s Tribeca 2013 selection Farah Goes Bang.
The film is described as equal parts road movie and buddy comedy, sex farce and ‘chick flick.’ Menon co-wrote the screenplay with Laura Goode and makes her feature directorial debut. Nikohl Boosheri, Kandis Erickson and Kiran Deol star.
John Deery’s 2003 thriller Conspiracy Of Silence stars Brenda Fricker, Hugh Bonneville, Chris O’Dowd and John Lynch.
The drama was developed at the Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab and won the National Board Of Review’s Freedom of Expression Award.
Conspiracy Of Silence is inspired by real events concerning the death of a priest in a small town in Ireland that opens a can of...
Veteran marketing executive Michael Fister [pictured] has launched the Us-based sales agency Angel Grace Productions at the Efm.
Fister, a former Turner Pictures Worldwide and ABC Television network executive, arrives with a slate that includes Meera Menon’s Tribeca 2013 selection Farah Goes Bang.
The film is described as equal parts road movie and buddy comedy, sex farce and ‘chick flick.’ Menon co-wrote the screenplay with Laura Goode and makes her feature directorial debut. Nikohl Boosheri, Kandis Erickson and Kiran Deol star.
John Deery’s 2003 thriller Conspiracy Of Silence stars Brenda Fricker, Hugh Bonneville, Chris O’Dowd and John Lynch.
The drama was developed at the Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab and won the National Board Of Review’s Freedom of Expression Award.
Conspiracy Of Silence is inspired by real events concerning the death of a priest in a small town in Ireland that opens a can of...
- 2/6/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
AFI Fest
While films about priests behaving badly aren't exactly in short supply these days, Irish writer-director John Deery weighs in with a challenging, thought-provoking debut that compassionately questions the relevance of celibacy in the Catholic Church.
Inspired by actual events that transpired following the suicide of a local priest, Deery dresses his nicely shot drama from Little Wing Films in the guise of a theological thriller, and though the first-time filmmaker treats the subject matter with an occasionally heavy hand, his strong cast and clearly heartfelt intentions help smooth over some of those uneven passages.
At first, the back-to-back incidents involving the suicide of parish priest Father Frank Sweeney (Patrick Lynch) and the expulsion of earnest seminary student Daniel McLaughlin (Jonathan Forbes) based on the incorrect assumption that he was behaving inappropriately with another male colleague would appear unrelated.
But a intrepid journalist (Jason Barry) believing otherwise soon gets to the heart of a suspected hypocritical cover-up that is ripped wide open during a live TV debate on the topic of priests and celibacy.
Although the thriller aspect at times feels a bit forced, Deery otherwise achieves a refreshing naturalism in a milieu that's too often distinguished by flickering candlelight and hushed voices. The fact that many of his lively characters curse a blue streak while engaging in heated arguments gives the film an immediacy and a pertinence absent in many productions dealing with similar subject matter.
Forbes brings a palpable conviction to his role of the young man who's as committed to the priesthood as he is to the young woman he loves (Catherine Walker), while the familiar faces belonging to Brenda Fricker as Forbes' mom, Hugh Bonneville as a sympathetic seminarian and John Lynch as an openly gay priest who has left the church further elevate the picture's profile.
While films about priests behaving badly aren't exactly in short supply these days, Irish writer-director John Deery weighs in with a challenging, thought-provoking debut that compassionately questions the relevance of celibacy in the Catholic Church.
Inspired by actual events that transpired following the suicide of a local priest, Deery dresses his nicely shot drama from Little Wing Films in the guise of a theological thriller, and though the first-time filmmaker treats the subject matter with an occasionally heavy hand, his strong cast and clearly heartfelt intentions help smooth over some of those uneven passages.
At first, the back-to-back incidents involving the suicide of parish priest Father Frank Sweeney (Patrick Lynch) and the expulsion of earnest seminary student Daniel McLaughlin (Jonathan Forbes) based on the incorrect assumption that he was behaving inappropriately with another male colleague would appear unrelated.
But a intrepid journalist (Jason Barry) believing otherwise soon gets to the heart of a suspected hypocritical cover-up that is ripped wide open during a live TV debate on the topic of priests and celibacy.
Although the thriller aspect at times feels a bit forced, Deery otherwise achieves a refreshing naturalism in a milieu that's too often distinguished by flickering candlelight and hushed voices. The fact that many of his lively characters curse a blue streak while engaging in heated arguments gives the film an immediacy and a pertinence absent in many productions dealing with similar subject matter.
Forbes brings a palpable conviction to his role of the young man who's as committed to the priesthood as he is to the young woman he loves (Catherine Walker), while the familiar faces belonging to Brenda Fricker as Forbes' mom, Hugh Bonneville as a sympathetic seminarian and John Lynch as an openly gay priest who has left the church further elevate the picture's profile.
AFI Fest
While films about priests behaving badly aren't exactly in short supply these days, Irish writer-director John Deery weighs in with a challenging, thought-provoking debut that compassionately questions the relevance of celibacy in the Catholic Church.
Inspired by actual events that transpired following the suicide of a local priest, Deery dresses his nicely shot drama from Little Wing Films in the guise of a theological thriller, and though the first-time filmmaker treats the subject matter with an occasionally heavy hand, his strong cast and clearly heartfelt intentions help smooth over some of those uneven passages.
At first, the back-to-back incidents involving the suicide of parish priest Father Frank Sweeney (Patrick Lynch) and the expulsion of earnest seminary student Daniel McLaughlin (Jonathan Forbes) based on the incorrect assumption that he was behaving inappropriately with another male colleague would appear unrelated.
But a intrepid journalist (Jason Barry) believing otherwise soon gets to the heart of a suspected hypocritical cover-up that is ripped wide open during a live TV debate on the topic of priests and celibacy.
Although the thriller aspect at times feels a bit forced, Deery otherwise achieves a refreshing naturalism in a milieu that's too often distinguished by flickering candlelight and hushed voices. The fact that many of his lively characters curse a blue streak while engaging in heated arguments gives the film an immediacy and a pertinence absent in many productions dealing with similar subject matter.
Forbes brings a palpable conviction to his role of the young man who's as committed to the priesthood as he is to the young woman he loves (Catherine Walker), while the familiar faces belonging to Brenda Fricker as Forbes' mom, Hugh Bonneville as a sympathetic seminarian and John Lynch as an openly gay priest who has left the church further elevate the picture's profile.
While films about priests behaving badly aren't exactly in short supply these days, Irish writer-director John Deery weighs in with a challenging, thought-provoking debut that compassionately questions the relevance of celibacy in the Catholic Church.
Inspired by actual events that transpired following the suicide of a local priest, Deery dresses his nicely shot drama from Little Wing Films in the guise of a theological thriller, and though the first-time filmmaker treats the subject matter with an occasionally heavy hand, his strong cast and clearly heartfelt intentions help smooth over some of those uneven passages.
At first, the back-to-back incidents involving the suicide of parish priest Father Frank Sweeney (Patrick Lynch) and the expulsion of earnest seminary student Daniel McLaughlin (Jonathan Forbes) based on the incorrect assumption that he was behaving inappropriately with another male colleague would appear unrelated.
But a intrepid journalist (Jason Barry) believing otherwise soon gets to the heart of a suspected hypocritical cover-up that is ripped wide open during a live TV debate on the topic of priests and celibacy.
Although the thriller aspect at times feels a bit forced, Deery otherwise achieves a refreshing naturalism in a milieu that's too often distinguished by flickering candlelight and hushed voices. The fact that many of his lively characters curse a blue streak while engaging in heated arguments gives the film an immediacy and a pertinence absent in many productions dealing with similar subject matter.
Forbes brings a palpable conviction to his role of the young man who's as committed to the priesthood as he is to the young woman he loves (Catherine Walker), while the familiar faces belonging to Brenda Fricker as Forbes' mom, Hugh Bonneville as a sympathetic seminarian and John Lynch as an openly gay priest who has left the church further elevate the picture's profile.
- 11/11/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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