Full Monty star to feature in "dark" family film
THE YORK-BORN actor who played Dave Horsefall in the hit Yorkshire comedy, The Full Monty is set to feature in a “dark family film” involving runaway children and donkeys.
The Runaways – which is being produced by Sheffield-based production company Slackjaw Film – follows three siblings and their donkeys as they are forced to deal with the unexpected death of their father.
Full Monty star, Mark Addy who has also starred in The Flintstones, A Knight’s Tale, Jack Frost and Robin Hood will be playing the children’s father in the short feature film.
Co-producer Mario Roberts said: “He’s a very important character and his presence follows on throughout the whole film – Mark Addy is great because he brings a lot of background with him based on the other characters he’s played. He’s a very fun, jolly person to see on screen!
“There’s a lot of dark themes in there with the family dynamics, so we just wanted it to be entertaining.
“There’s a scene where the kids try to sneak the donkeys onto the historic trains in the North York Moors – it’s just something that will hopefully bring a smile to someone’s face.”
The film is typical of the Slackjaw Films who mainly create films and documentaries with the running themes of adventure and the great outdoors.
The company’s previous works include BAFTA longlisted short film Twine, as well as several BBC racing documentaries.
Providing the funding target of £500,000 is reached, the film will be shot predominantly in the idyllic setting of the North Yorkshire Moors next spring. So far, the Slackjaw have secured around a third of the funding and are in talks with Creative England and Welcome to Yorkshire.
Mario added: “The film is a throwback to the classic adventure films, kind of like Stand by me and Across the great divide but we’re trying to add a modern twist to it.
“The origin came when Richard, [the co-producer] did a coast to coast bike ride and through that journey he followed the beautiful landscape and found it very emotional even though there wasn’t very much meaning in the journey.
Slackjaw Films are hoping to have the film finished by summer 2017 and showing in theatres across the country early in 2018.
