The Butterfly Tattoo (film)
Encyclopedia
The Butterfly Tattoo is a 2008 feature film, based on Philip Pullman's
novel of the same name
(originally published as The White Mercedes
). The film is particularly notable given that despite being a commercial production it actively sought to provide training and experience for young film-makers. The film also used a novel method of financing its production, by selling shares to members of the public.
became attached to the project in early 2007. Children's author Stephen Potts
adapted the story for the screen. Auditions were held across the country to find the young cast.
The producers used a novel means of financing the film, selling shares publicly to raise the $400,000 budget. The film was fully funded in just two days. The author Philip Pullman was particularly supportive of the production saying "I liked the fact that they were very young and very keen, and that they didn't have any money".
The production welcomed applications from both experienced and inexperienced people to join the crew, stating the educational aspect was a key part of the film.
, and a few miles away in a studio near Wallingford. Filming began on 27 August 2007 for five weeks. A series of behind the scenes videos were released online during the production.
area where the film was shot also contributed to the soundtrack.
. This was followed by screenings at the Dutch Film Festival, the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival
, where it was the opening feature, and the Exposures Film Festival in Manchester
. The film had a limited release in Los Angeles
on 17 April 2009 and is soon to be released in Europe.
The film was released by the Showcase Cinemas
chain on 25 September 2009, following its screening at the Cambridge Film Festival
on the 18th and 21 September 2009.
Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Beaufort International Film Festival
Despite only being a small, independent production, in just a few days after the US DVD release the film had attracted considerable attention on the internet. By 19 June 2009 it had been illegally downloaded over 200,000 times
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman CBE, FRSL is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ...
novel of the same name
The White Mercedes
The White Mercedes, published in 1992 and now known as The Butterfly Tattoo, is about one character who falls passionately in love, and suffers horribly from then on, as his innocent love is embroiled in a long cycle of revenge and hatred. It was Philip Pullman's first book for younger audiences,...
(originally published as The White Mercedes
The White Mercedes
The White Mercedes, published in 1992 and now known as The Butterfly Tattoo, is about one character who falls passionately in love, and suffers horribly from then on, as his innocent love is embroiled in a long cycle of revenge and hatred. It was Philip Pullman's first book for younger audiences,...
). The film is particularly notable given that despite being a commercial production it actively sought to provide training and experience for young film-makers. The film also used a novel method of financing its production, by selling shares to members of the public.
Plot
Chris a naive lad, suspended between school and college, and Jenny, a free spirit fleeing a traumatised childhood, fall in love against the backdrop of modern Oxford. But they are caught in the crossfire, as the past of Barry Miller catches up with him in the form of Carson, a gangster out for revenge.Cast
- Jessica Blake as Jenny
- Duncan Stuart as Chris Marshall
- Aidan Magrath as Barry Miller
- Christopher Dane as Inspector Fletcher
Development
The Dutch production company Dynamic Entertainment DEH optioned the film rights to the novel in 2006, with the aim of producing a community supported open-source film. Award winning young director Phil HawkinsPhil Hawkins
Phil Hawkins is an award-winning commercials, television and independent film director from Manchester, United Kingdom. His work in feature film includes "The Women Of Troy" and Philip Pullman's The Butterfly Tattoo...
became attached to the project in early 2007. Children's author Stephen Potts
Stephen Potts
Stephen Potts is a British author of children’s books, particularly historical adventure novels set at sea.Potts was born in 1957 in Norwich, England, to an English father then serving in the Royal Navy, and an Irish mother. He started school in northern Scotland, and continued in various parts of...
adapted the story for the screen. Auditions were held across the country to find the young cast.
The producers used a novel means of financing the film, selling shares publicly to raise the $400,000 budget. The film was fully funded in just two days. The author Philip Pullman was particularly supportive of the production saying "I liked the fact that they were very young and very keen, and that they didn't have any money".
The production welcomed applications from both experienced and inexperienced people to join the crew, stating the educational aspect was a key part of the film.
Filming
The film was shot on location in and around OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, and a few miles away in a studio near Wallingford. Filming began on 27 August 2007 for five weeks. A series of behind the scenes videos were released online during the production.
Music
The score was composed by Richard Bodgers, whilst several bands local to the OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
area where the film was shot also contributed to the soundtrack.
Release
The film had its public première on 13 September 2008 at the International Film by the Sea festival in Vlissingen, NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. This was followed by screenings at the Dutch Film Festival, the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival
New York International Independent Film and Video Festival
New York International Independent Film and Video Festival is a film screening event in various American cities. It was founded in 1993, and its website claims it has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit...
, where it was the opening feature, and the Exposures Film Festival in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. The film had a limited release in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
on 17 April 2009 and is soon to be released in Europe.
The film was released by the Showcase Cinemas
Showcase Cinemas
Showcase Cinemas is a movie theater chain owned and operated by National Amusements. Operating more than 1,354 indoor screens in the United States, United Kingdom and Latin America.-USA:* Connecticut* Massachusetts* Ohio* New Jersey* Rhode Island...
chain on 25 September 2009, following its screening at the Cambridge Film Festival
Cambridge Film Festival
The Cambridge Film Festival is one of the biggest film festivals in the UK. The festival historically took place during early July, but now takes place annually during September in Cambridge....
on the 18th and 21 September 2009.
Awards
New York International Independent Film and Video FestivalNew York International Independent Film and Video Festival
New York International Independent Film and Video Festival is a film screening event in various American cities. It was founded in 1993, and its website claims it has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit...
- Best Director, Phil Hawkins
- Best Adaptation
Columbus International Film & Video Festival
Columbus International Film & Video Festival
The Columbus International Film + Video Festival is a Columbus, Ohio, USA annual film festival which is designed to encourage and promote the use of film and video in all forms of education and communication...
- Best Feature Film
Beaufort International Film Festival
- Best Film
DVD
The DVD was released in the US on 2 June 2009.Despite only being a small, independent production, in just a few days after the US DVD release the film had attracted considerable attention on the internet. By 19 June 2009 it had been illegally downloaded over 200,000 times