Talking Pictures

Dustbingate Movie Project

Optioned by Norfilms ahead of Hollywood studio.

British movie project "Dustbingate", based on the true story of the political scandal that almost brought the British government down in 1998, has been optioned by indie production co. Northern Filmmakers (Norfilms.com) in an agreement that's going to make its original participants even richer then before. Although one Hollywood studio has been reaching out to the writers for the option Norfilms beat them to the deal in a flurry of activity in just seven days of discussion and meetings.

This true tale tells of how a handful of night shift factory workers beat professional investigative journalists to the story of local sleaze surrounding property dealings involving British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and his son. The resulting scandal made the world's headlines for ten days in 1998 and eventually reached the House of Commons.

Although everyone thought at the time that the men involved were intent of some vendetta to destroy John Prescott's reputation or some socialist attempt to overthrow the New Labour government of Tony Blair the truth was far simpler - the lads just wanted a way to break out of their dead-end jobs and lives. As a result of breaking the story themselves the lads went on to earn enough money from the book of their story to change their lives forever.

Norfilms expect that the film will have a comparable return on investment to other British comedy movies of recent years. A consortium of private investors have already expressed interest in backing the project.. The producer's next step is to find a director suitable for the story and its commercial potential at the world box offices.

Not surprisingly, the government haven't commented. I'm sure Prescott is likely to give it two fingers.

Further details are available at the company's web site: www.norfilms.com/