"A GIRL MADE OF DUST" IS AMONG THE 200 MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS FOR 2017

The upcoming film adaptation of Nathalie Abi-Ezzi’s acclaimed novel A GIRL MADE OF DUST is among the “200 most anticipated films for 2017” list on the Ion Cinema Website.  

A GIRL MADE OF DUST is produced by Alliance de production Cinématographique,  and the screenplay is written by Steve Hawes and Monica Solon.  The film is directed by Hiam Abbass. Abbass is a criticially-acclaimed actress who made her directorial debut with INHERITANCE, which competed at Venice and Karlovy Vary.

 The film is also among the 25 projects selected for the 7th edition of Les Arcs European Film Festival’s Coproduction Village.

In the novel eight-year-old Ruba lives in a village near Beirut, in 1980s Lebanon, as civil war divides her country. Her father’s depression threatens their livelihood, and her brother runs wild with boys with guns. As Ruba decides she has to save her family, Israeli troops invade and danger comes ever closer, but in the end love and family prevail.

Steve Hawes commissioned to write play commemorating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta

Steve Hawes has written THE GREAT CHARTER, which examines the dramatic events running up to the sealing of the Magna Carta by King John: it has been commissioned by Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of the Magna Carta 800th Anniversary Commemoration Committee and David Nicholas Wilkinson of Guerilla Films through their company Allington Productions.

The intention is that the play will be presented to London’s West End and many of the Magna Carta towns such as Canterbury, Bury St Edmunds, Lincoln, Oxford, Salisbury and Windsor (Runnymede).

Sir Robert comments: “When I first came to Britain many years ago, I went to the British Museum on my first morning to see the Magna Carta and the Rosetta Stone, because I had been taught that the rule of law and education are the two pillarstones of civilisation.  The significance of the Magna Carta is that it provided the basis for all democratic society from free and fair elections to the basics of human rights and justice.”

While David Wilkinson says: “The power play, machinations, intrigue and historical detail that led to the creation of this piece of parchment and with it the foundation of human rights offers such an incredible rich story for the stage.  THE GREAT CHARTER will play an exciting part in the whole 800th anniversary celebration and bring the Magna Carta to life for people in an entertaining and illuminating way.”  

The play is part of wider celebrations that will run from 2013 to 2015 across the UK. Concerts, festivals, debates, schools competition and exhibitions at major venues such as the British Library are being produced, as well commissioned memorabilia such as a commemorative stamp and coin.  A Magna Carta Day has been unanimously supported by the House of Commons.

For more information on THE GREAT CHARTER, please see:

www.thegreatcharter.com

www.allingtonproductions.com 

New version of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST a Christmas Hit

Steve Hawes' stage adaptation of the traditional fairytale BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was a festive treat for residents of Hampshire, playing at the Haymarket, Basingstoke during December as part of Anvil Arts' Christmas programme.

An alternative to the plethora of pantomimes staged at this time of year, Steve's production returned to the French fairytale La Belle et la Bête for its inspiration, providing a darker version of the story than those familiar with the Disney classic may have expected. Directed by Paul Chamberlain and starring Anne Marie Piazza and Oliver Stoney in the lead roles, the production made excellent use of music, video inserts and innovative stage design to bring the story to life.

The play was well received by audiences and critics alike. The Stage commented '[Hawes] has given considerable thought to this version of Beauty and the Beast, we learn more about why Beast is the bestial creature that he is, giving a much deeper insight into the morality and folklore behind this tale.' The full review can be found here.