Toilers film ‘needs more States support to be filmed in island’
A FILM based on Victor Hugo’s Guernsey-based novel will need more support from the States if it is to be shot in the Bailiwick.
That is the message from producers David Shanks and Joy Mellins, who have spent three years drumming up support and promises of funding in an attempt to produce a film version of Les Travailleurs de la Mer, which was published in 1866 and was dedicated by Hugo to the island.
‘We feel like we’ve been pushing at an open door,’ Mr Shanks said. ‘Everyone says it’s fantastic that we’re planning to shoot this film here, but we now need action from government to give the final push.’
The commitment they are hoping for from the States is to promise a contribution of £1.5-£3m., which would need to be spent only in the event that the film goes ahead.
Mr Shanks said letters of intent had been signed by a large number of would-be investors on the same basis.
‘We’ve already had five wealthy individuals who have committed to providing seven-figure sums towards the budget, but they’ve all said they want to see more commitment from the States,’ Mr Shanks said.
The initial budget for the film was set at around £15m. but incentives from the governments of the UK and Malta have offset about £5m. of this, making the producers more confident of achieving the funding they need – if Guernsey contributes.
Mr Shanks said they had already had direct contact with Policy & Resources president Peter Ferbrache and treasury lead Deputy Mark Helyar but they hoped other deputies would take up their cause and prompt a debate in the States.
He said he understood that a budget of £250,000 had been provided for the marketing of the 2018 Mike Newell film of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, which he described as ‘soft money’ which was non-returnable.
By contrast, he said any money for this production would be an investment that could turn a profit, while helping to create an artistic product which could serve to advertise the island to a worldwide audience for a considerable length of time.
He stressed that many of the crew would be employed locally and that much of the money would be spent in the Bailiwick.
Local actors are likely to be cast in some of the smaller acting roles, he said, though A-listers are being lined up to play the major parts.
It had been hoped that filming would have begun by now, with Castle Cornet lined up as one location and Malta as another, but the funding issues have delayed the project.
