MAJOR HOLLYWOOD FILM FOR SCOTLAND

A $32m Hollywood movie starring Adrian Brody (The Pianist) and Keira Knightley (Bend it Like Beckham, Pirates of the Caribbean) with George Clooney as one of its producers is set to shoot in Scotland, Frank McAveety Minister for Culture announced at a press conference at Scottish Screen this morning..

The movie entitled "The Jacket", will be directed by John Maybury and is to be produced by international star George Clooney & Steven Soderbergh's Section Eight production company, with Peter Gruber's Mandalay Pictures in association with German production company VIP Medienfonds.

The film which will reaffirm Scotland as a great film-making destination, will be shot in Scotland early in the new year. It is estimated that it will generate around $10m for Scotland's economy and will employ a large film crew, the majority of whom will be recruited in Scotland.

Securing the film for Scotland is a major coup and there is tremendous prestige in having a major film featuring some of Hollywood's biggest names. This will raise Scotland's profile as a place to come and make films, and for movie enthusiasts to visit.

Speaking at the announcement at Scottish Screen Headquarters in Glasgow, Mr McAveety said:

"This news is simply fantastic for Scotland, fantastic for those involved in the film industry in Scotland, and fantastic for filmgoers.

"Scottish Screen and the Glasgow Film Office must be congratulated in their roles in convincing the film's American and German producers that Scotland has everything to offer production companies who are looking for locations to shoot their films.

"There are many spin-offs associated with this film - a large crew recruited in Scotland will be employed for this production, hotels in shoot locations will feel the benefits, and so too will local shops and restaurants.

"But most of all the prestige in providing the backdrop for a Hollywood blockbuster with famous Hollywood stars coming to Scotland, will attract other film companies and convince them that Scotland is a great place come and use our rich and varied film locations."

Steve McIntyre, Chief Executive of Scottish Screen said:

"We are delighted that Scottish Screen along with the Glasgow Film Office have been able to attract this most important film to shoot in Scotland. We look forward to working closely with the producers and the Scottish crew over the next few months."

Councillor Charlie Gordon, of Glasgow City Council added:

"I'm delighted with the important role the Glasgow Film Office has played in bringing this movie to Scotland.

"Since its inception in 1997, the Film Office and Glasgow City Council have provided invaluable logistical and financial support to many feature films and TV dramas.

"Now we're going to have a little bit of Hollywood come to our shores, and we can show the most important market in the film industry just how good we are at this kind of work."

Peter McAleese the UK co-producer said:

"I am truly delighted to be able to bring this project to my adopted home city of Glasgow. I'm looking forward to working closely with both the Glasgow Film Office and Scottish Screen to ensure large numbers of the internationally respected Scottish crew members resident here, along with some of the world's best off-screen support services located in and around
the city, are used to best advantage on this fantastic project.

"If we do our job well I hope this film will lead a charge of productions back into Scotland from Hollywood."