"Donkeys" Director Morag McKinnon is Scots Hot!

In the press: The List has compiled a list ;) of The Hot 100 2010 that includes some familiar names and faces to those at Sigma. Notable on the compilation is"Donkeys" director Morag McKinnon, ranked at an impressive number 27.

Respected short and TV director McKinnon has been on our radar for a while now and with her debut feature Donkeys (a follow up of sorts to Andrea Arnold’s Glasgow-set drama Red Road) she did not disappoint. It’s one of the year’s best films. (PD)

One of the stars of Donkeys, actor Martin Compston (Red Road), also made the cut, coming in at 21:
The boy’s got soul
Who knew a lad from Greenock could dance as well as he does in enjoyable period drama Soulboy? It’s been a crucial year for Compston, very strong performances in Soulboy and Donkeys aside, this 26-year-old did not stop working, and as a result he has a very healthy roster of future releases.

Also on the list are two from Sigma's next release, Perfect Sense.
Wonderful composer Max Richter is listed at 98:
Off the scale composer
Following 2010 album Infra – the fruits of his collaboration with choreographer Wayne McGregor and visual artist Julian Opie for the Royal Ballet – the Fat Cat-signed, Edinburgh-based composer’s upcoming calendar includes scoring David McKenzie’s Ewan McGregor-starring film Perfect Sense

Finally, Perfect Sense (and Young Adam) actor extraordinaire Ewan McGregor is noted at number 90.

Thanks to List!

Sigma Films Relaunches with New Website, Plus New Photo of Ewan McGregor & Eva Green in Perfect Sense

Check it out: Sigma Films of Glasgow, Scotland have relaunched their official website, now sporting a very lovely new redesign! Included are pages on some of their outstanding films, both short ones and the main features (more to be added soon, including ONE OF JAMIE SIVES IN WILBUR HINT HINT PLEASE ;P) as well as an official news page, Film City Glasgow section, associates and a contact/feedback page. Of note are a few new photos from David Mackenzie's forthcoming "Perfect Sense," including one new one of Ewan McGregor (shirtless!) & Eva Green, as well as a gorgeous high res photo of a similar one we saw earlier this year.
Stay tuned, for its all onward and upward for this great crew at Sigma!
Congratulations guys, nice work! :)

Photos from Filming of Ciaran Foy's "Citadel"

Production is nearing an end on Sigma Film's newest effort CITADEL and luckily today we have some new photos to show you.

First, many thanks to Blinder Films who have released in glorious high res the photo we saw here earlier of star Aneurin Barnard in his role as Tommy for the new joint Sigma/Blinder Films production "Citadel." Excellent!

Then, again via the personal blog of DoP Tim Fleming we can see some additional and very dramatic shots of Aneurin Barnard from the film, from scenes that take place in the mysterious tunnel and facing those demon child hunters that threaten the main character. Top notch work; this film just looks to be fantastic, can't wait!

Finally, thanks as always to the hard working fantastic crew, Mr Fleming has also posted a pic of what seems to be the camera crew. Prop man Paul Lambie also has tweeted quite a bit during the production (including some great twitter photos you gotta check out yourself here), and noted they are currently over in Dublin for a few days on the film as well.

Citadel is due for release next year.

Al Plays Guitar

Al, he plays guitar....


Last August, we were treated to brief footage of Sigma's own Alastair Mackenzie in his new role as Monty in Todd Tucker's family 'horror' film Monster Mutt. As noted here several times (most recently last month) the film is coming out on DVD on January 4, and the company has released a new music video to help in this endeavor. In the new video, at around the 1:33 mark, we see a familar face, in his spiffy wig and robe and all, enjoying a late night rock band session, where Al plays guitar :D wheee! I LOVE YOU AL! Enjoy!

Video Interview: Colin Kennedy on "I Love Luci" at Interfilm Berlin Festival

What a good Monday this has turned out to be, as now we have a special treat in the form of a rare video interview with Sigma's own Colin Kennedy! Speaking about his hit short film "I Love Luci," Colin describes how he came to discover the hilarious story of missing teeth and love, as well as comments on his two stellar stars, Camila Rutherford and Colin Harris. Enjoy!

IMPORTANT: I Love Luci continues to earn honors, as Luci was indeed a WINNER at interfilm Festival Berlin, winning in the International Competition section for "Best Fiction" CONGRATULATIONS COLIN, BRIAN all at Sigma and team Luci! yay! :)

David Mackenzie Comments on "Perfect Sense" Screening at Sundance Film Festival

With the Sundance Film Festival set to take place next month, the press machine is now cranking up. As such, we are lucky today to see a new comment from Sigma's own David Mackenzie on his latest film "Perfect Sense" which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Via Trust Nordisk:

David Mackenzie, who directed the award-winning HALLAM FOE (2007), is delighted about being a part of the festival: “It's wonderful to be having the World Premiere of Perfect Sense at Sundance, in the company of the kind of independent, trailblazing, edgy films that the festival is famous for”.

There are also two new description of the film (which runs 90 mins) now online for us. First, from the Trust Nordisk piece which reads:

"PERFECT SENSE tells the story about Susan, who is a scientist searching for answers to important questions. So important that she has given up on other things, including love - until she meets Michael, a talented chef. Suddenly everything starts to change. While Susan and Michael are experiencing new and unforeseen depths of feeling, all around the world people are also beginning to feel strange - something is affecting the emotions. Susan and Michael find themselves embarking on a sensual adventure, experiencing head-spinning, stomach-tightening moments of pure connection. Is this because they are falling in love or is it because the world is falling apart? A life affirming look at what it means to love and be loved in these turbulent times."
As first reported here on this blog, Perfect Sense will debut on January 24, with the Sundance Film Festival website now updated with this date, as well as a week's worth of screenings; plenty of chances for attendees and others to catch the film at various events in both Park City and in Salt Lake City (last screening date, Sun, Jan. 30th.) There is also a second description of the new film starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green at the site, which reads as follows:

When Susan (Eva Green), an epidemiologist, reemerges from an affair gone sour, she encounters a peculiar patient—a Glasgow truck driver who experienced a sudden, uncontrollable crying fit. Now he is calm, but he has lost his sense of smell. Susan learns there are 11 cases like him in Glasgow, 7 in Aberdeen, 5 in Dundee, and 18 in Edinburgh. In fact, Great Britain has 100 cases, with additional ones reported in France, Belgium, Italy, and Spain, and they all appeared in the last 24 hours. Although Susan’s encounter with Michael (Ewan McGregor), a local restaurant chef, holds the promise of new love, the world is about to change dramatically. People across the globe begin to suffer strange symptoms, affecting the emotions, then the senses.

Indie Wire's The Playlist has a short recap of the film online today as well, noting again the name change etc, as well as a brief mention of David's other new film "You Instead" that will premiere later in 2011. Finally, big kudos and thanks to very cool Jon & co at ReelScotland for not only the shoutout mention in their piece on Perfect Sense for Sundance, but for also for the credit on info which very rare these days heh, and much appreciated.

Bonus: On this blog we were able to see some wonderful filming photos (see my coverage at this link), but one truly excellent photo of note can be found on Flickr from "one day alive" (he also shot Colin I think?), showing this lovely black & white capture of a gaffer on the "Perfect Sense." You can see here lovely face at the top, but I really love the whole photo for a close up shows her tattered belt, clapboard bearing David mackenzie's name sense info etc, and her also sporting lots of tape :) Just an ace photo, so so well done, love it!

Filming Through the Snow: "Citadel" on Location Video, More

While news has um frozen to a slow Icetrickle due to the tundra that has descended upon seemingly most of us in the northern part of the world lol, the hearty folk at Sigma Films continue on with filming for Ciaran Foy's "Citadel." Note that even Colin Kennedy has taken to sporting a staypuff production man look for the inclement weather lol LOVE HIm!. Weather is dreadful to be certain yet things progress onward even so as noted by and many thanks to crew member extraordinaire and props man Paul Lambie, we can now see some video he shot of the frozen location below:



Paul also tweets his harrowing adventures this past week, on location in various places like a Yokerhill hospital or a hilltop cemetery in Glasgow or and noted that even star James Cosmo got stuck in the snow (just like so so many of us all around the world it seems lol) Be sure to follow Paul here for more! You can also see some very cool location photos (mostly pre-blizzard bomb photos lol altho a few more recent) on the personal blog of the superb cameraman Tim Fleming who is shooting Citadel. good stuff indeed! Citadel continues through snow wind rain and hail for a few more weeks yet before off to Dublin and wrapping later this month.

(Updated)Jamie Sives Attends BIFA Awards

More Jamie Sives goodness to keep our mind off the dread snow and cold...new pics of Jamie and his friend JJ Feild at last night's British Independent Film Awards YAYAY! Video soon, stay tuned! :) (click for large size)

As we know, Jamie Sives was a jury member this year for the BIFAs, and had avoided most of the press at the entrance to the event last night, so this is A GREAT TREAT, especially when seen with his good mate JJ. Benedict, his other good mate and one time co-star was also there and we were hoping for a shot of the three mates, but still this is WONDERFUL WOOHOO WHAT A NIGHT! Game of thrones preview and the BIFAs! :)

UPDATE: Thanks to Jamie who updated his IMDB page with several more pics from the BIFA, including new photos of him presenting the Best Foreign Film award.


Also new is a fun photo of Jamie, taken with his good mate Russell Brand at Russell's stag party at the West Ham United football match back in late September. (You can also spot Jamie in a different angle of the photo seen in the Metro)

Comes a White Horse: Jamie Sives & Inside Game of Thrones Preview

Behold, the rider on a horse of white!




Jamie Sives as Jory, seen in the new "Inside the Game of Thrones" preview from HBO.
Now that I have proper power, sat. and internet again!!! oy (right in the middle of the thing too at the Mildred pierce commercial break gah couldnt believe it-how long till Spring?) here are some screencaps of the new preview I made last night before all went astray lol. Love the scar on Jamie and he looked great working with Sean Bean too!Video here at the making of site WHERE YOU CAN SEE AN ACTUAL CLIP OF JAMIE TALKING WITH SEAN BEAN or below, thanks to Movieweb :)



Be sure to check out Westeros who have very good screencaps of the whole thing including three HIGH RES ones of our Jamie (sooo great to see Joseph Mawle, Jamie's co-star in the Passion who is such a great actor). If you subscribe to the iTunes podcast as I do, dearly hoping the finer quality video of this will be up in a few days (or week), so hanging tight for that! Meanwhile, have to say am most impressed with this (Sean bean= excellent!), roll on April! :)

Finally, while a couple days old, sorry!, the ever wonderful Kate Dickie, gave a new interview to the Guardian, where she spoke of not only her role in the upcoming HBO series Game of Thrones, but also of her work on Sigma Films on Red Road and Donkeys.

Sigma Aint Afraid of No Snow

Sigma ain't afraid of no snow !!!!

;)

Neither storm nor hail nor budget crunches nor the wretched snow blitz that has befallen most of the UK and Europe of late can stop production on Sigma Film's latest effort: Citadel. In a press release issued by co-producers Blinder Films of Ireland, we heard from producers Katie Holly and Sigma's own Brian Coffey regarding the effect, if any, the terrible weather is having on the shoot for Citadel:

“In these truly Siberian conditions we’ve had to face all kinds of issues – cancelled flights, impassable roads, freezing conditions – a snow plough was even drafted in to preserve this already ambitious schedule. It’s ironic given that we’re shooting a film where the central character is afflicted with agoraphobia that we have to spend so much time out of doors! We’re just thrilled that we have such an amazingly resilient, adaptable and committed cast and crew who are battling the elements to get us through and we are literally ploughing on despite everything that has been thrown at us. Spirits are high, the performances are amazing, the material fantastic and Citadel’s off to Dublin come wind, hail or snow.”

No word on who might be manning that snowplow lol (prob Gillian who is afraid of NOTHING :D just kidding but still AWESOME!)

As first reported here on this blog earlier, production has indeed begun on Ciaran Foy's Citadel with production based out of Film City Glasgow and on location in the area for the next few weeks, then one week in Dublin (more at this link) Again, as noted previously, the new film "features Aneurin Barnard (Ironclad, Hunky Dory, Guinea Pigs) in the lead role of Tommy, alongside Scotland’s finest, James Cosmo (Braveheart, Troy, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Runway) and Wunmi Mosuka (I am Slave, One Night in Emergency ) as Marie. Co-stars include Ingrid Craigie and Amy Shiels"

Citadel is due to be released in theatres next fall

David Mackenzie's "Perfect Sense" with Ewan McGregor, Eva Green to Screen at Sundance Film Festival!

At long last, I am thrilled to confirm those rumors: David Mackenzie's "Perfect Sense" with Ewan McGregor & Eva Green will indeed screen at the Sundance Film Festival next month. YAY!

Previously known as "The Last Word" the newest motion picture from Sigma Films' own David Mackenzie will premiere at the US festival next month, with a tentative date set for JANUARY 24. I will update with more, ticket info etc as soon as the official Sundance website formally releases that info.

As part of the PR process, some NEW & GORGEOUS HIGH RES photos for "Perfect Sense" have been released (click on each pic for the High res please), including my favorite director (looking less beardly and ever handsome above)
this new photo of Ewan & Ewen : D
The always fabulous Eva Green and another of Chef Ewan :)

LINKS TO LARGE PICS ON MY FLICKR AS FOLLOWS
CHEF EWAN HERE
EVA GREEN HERE
EWAN EWEN HERE

DAVID MACKENZIE HERE

SING A JOYFUL SONG: Jamie Sives to Make Public Singing Debut at Eilidh Brown

A few weeks ago, we learned about a lovely young woman, a brave battle fought, a life extinguished far too soon, and a wonderful effort by family and friends to help maintain that light and joy by helping others-and raising spirits in many ways. One such way involves the Eilidh Brown Memorial Concert, a charity event taking place at the start of a new year; a new year full of hope, of optimism, and on what I think will be a very good note indeed! :) In addition to the previously announced performers (such as Scotland's own Billy Boyd), this concert will mark the public debut of my favorite Scottish actor JAMIE SIVES!

Yes thats right! As noted on the official Facebook page for Eilidh Brown (thanks Ollie! :)

Jamie Sives, an actor and friend of Eilidh's dad Gordon, is one of the performers' at the Eilidh Brown Memorial Concert. He'll be singing in front of an audience for the first time.

As if this event could not be better or for a better cause, you now have the opportunity to hear Jamie sing in person. His lovely accent, lovely singing voice, lovely self right there singing for yall gah LOVE JAMIE :) what a great night that is going to be!

Details from the concert so far read as follows:

Get ready for an exceptional evening bringing together some of Scotland’s finest talent including headliners Jon Fratelli (The Fratellis and Codeine Velvet Club) and Billy Boyd (Lord Of The Rings), alongside Mark Cox and Jane Mcgarry of Still Game, with their very own brand of humour. A bunch of other well-known faces will guarantee an evening full of entertainment, all doing their best to raise money for The Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund, set up Eilidh’s family in her memory and helping young people suffering from cancer. The family now hope to raise enough money to buy or build respite accommodation in the Stirling area for families touched by cancer, and you can do your bit with joining us for this one off celebration, closed by a free after party with DJs in the macrobert foyer.

As we first learned here some time ago, Jamie has a strong passion for music, and sings in a band called the Conegatherers. He has been quite busy on the acting front (wrapping up on HBO's Game of Thrones, prepping and doing his jury work for the British Independent Film Awards, but naturally music remains near and dear to his heart, just like the Eilidh Brown foundation. This concert will take place at the Macroberts Centre 15 January, 2011 and TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS CHARITY EVENT AT THIS LINK-GO GO NOW!

Learning about Eilidh has been a very good thing for me, I hope it will be for you too! Really, am so very glad that there will be a celebration of her life in this concert, a reminder that good things that can come out of tragedy as hard as that may be to understand, that there can be continued hope and healing and light and music for not only those touched by this lovely girl but by all families affected with the terribleness that is cancer. Fingers crossed for truly a great event!!

PS Thank you very much indeed Brown family and all who posted and linked to this on Facebook & twitter!

Sigma Begins Filming on Ciaran Foy's "Citadel"

A follow up on something first reported here months ago, I am thrilled to update with word that Sigma Films have officially begun filming on their newest project "Citadel." Yay!

In truly an international project, Ciaran Foy directs the latest movie which is described as a horror film of sorts, and features a wonderful cast, including rising star Welsh actor Aneurin Barnard in the lead role of Tommy, long time Sigma star & acclaimed Scottish actor James Cosmo as The Priest, the beautiful and talented Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku as Marie, and making his motion picture debut is young Jake Wilson (12) in his first role, that of Danny. A joint Scottish and Irish production, this film is produced by Katie Holly of Blinder Films, and Sigma Films' very own Brian Coffey, with the ever fabulous Gillian Berrie as Executive Producer. Both are producers on the rise and this is good news indeed for this feature film.

Summary of the film is as follows:
Citadel tells the story of widower and single father Tommy Cowley, a man inflicted with chronic agoraphobia since the day his wife was attacked. He was unable to protect her. He lives in Edenstown, the council estate from hell. Here he finds himself terrorized by a gang of syringe wielding feral children, who are intent on taking his baby daughter. With the help of a kind Nurse and a renegade Priest, Tommy learns the nightmarish truth surrounding these hooded children. He also learns that to be free of his fears, he must finally face the demons of his past and enter the one place he fears the most - The abandoned Tower block known as the Citadel..

Shooting on Citadel is now officially underway, with three weeks ahead RIGHT NOW in Glasgow and one week in Dublin. Citadel is based out of FILM CITY GLASGOW. Citadel is backed from the fine folks at the Irish Film Board and Creative Scotland.
Other Info:
*Citadel will be shot by Tim Fleming (Academy Award nominated Live action short The Door,) who filmed the most excellent (Academny Award winning) "Once" movie. Wow!!! Be sure to check out his demo reel here, well worth it I assure you!

*Wunmi Mosaku appeared in One Night in Emergency w/Jamie Sives and Kevin McKidd as the nurse too (save this factoid for points in the six degrees of Sigma Films game ;)

*ALL COMMENTS /REPORTS/PHOTOS WELCOME (annoy totally fine!) If you are so inclined PLEASE SEND IN YOUR PICS/UPDATES and I will be more than happy to post your reports for all us to enjoy!
Stay tuned, more Sigma goodness coming soon! :)

New Photo of Jamie Sives Seen in Entertainment Weekly

Here it is, our first look at Jamie Sives as Jory Cassel from the upcoming HBO series Game of Thrones!

This photo of Jamie-sporting longer hair and a close cropped beard reminding me of one of the three musketeers types lol very medival and good looking I think!- is one of a larger photo (also showing that Bean fellow lol and other cast members. These photos all are part of an exclusive preview contained in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly. RUN GO BUY IT NOW, it's a wonderful collection of photos (plus more online) previewing the new HBO series where Jamie plays the role of the valiant captain Jory Cassel. Im thrilled to say the least to see our Jamie featured at last in a MAJOR publication like EW, just yay! HBO told WIC and Westeros that they will be releasing High res pics soon; can't wait for that! Thank you EW and HBO!
(Photo credit Helen Sloan/HBO/EW for full article, please purchase the magazine and check out the additional ones online)
UPDATE: Ran from Westeros.org says Jamie is wearing a wig for his role as the good Cap'n. Hmm well he can wear his hair long (see the pic of him for the Triage premiere in Spain, and has naturally curly hair as we all know (love!!!) but ok I guess, and he still looks mighty fine to me :D

VIDEO INTERVIEW: Jamie Sives at BIFA Nominations!

A few weeks ago, we learned that actor JAMIE SIVES (along with Sigma's own David Mackenzie) are on this year's British Independent Film Awards Jury. BIFA has just released some new video taken on the day of the announcement, and it includes a rare (and wonderful :D) interview with Jamie! WOOHOO! At the moment, its on the dread MSN player (which you can't embed alas alas) so click at this link, and around the 41 second mark.. for almost 20 glorious seconds (lol I know, but in terms of news video that's a good chunk of time) enjoy ENJOY the WONDERFUL LOVELY SIGHT AND SCOTTISH ACCENT of this terrific actor!
Im so chuffed lol dork I know, but there you go! :)
BONUS!!!You can also see TWO NEW PHOTOS of Jamie at the event in their galleries as well right here at this link.

In one final dose of new Jamie goodness, he was interviewed by Jason Solomons for his podcast (the enjoyable Film Weekly) where Jamie discusses the future of Independent film in the UK (it's not all bleak he says, noting the opportunities for overseas investors -hint readers see Sigma who have been doing this for ages-Jamie also makes a hilarious comment about taking pointers from his fellow BIFA Jury member Jason too. You can click here to the Guardian for the interview, or do as I did, and download this gem off iTunes or at the Guardian site ENJOY !
LOVE YOU JAMIE!! Now get crackin on those 30 plus films-we are all waiting for reviews teehee ;D

Now Available: Pre-Orders for "Monster Mutt" DVD with Alastair Mackenzie

As reported here many times previously, Sigma's own Alastair Mackenzie is a featured actor in the family film "Monster Mutt" from director Todd Tucker. That film, which screened recently at the London Children's Film Festival, is as we already know, being released on DVD in the US on January 4, 2011. Pre-orders for what seems to be a Walmart exclusive DVD can now be found at this link! Rated PG, this is a fun "horror" film about a dog, an experiment gone awry, and a cranky fussy neighbor played by our own Al (who sports some hilarious hair and white flip flops to boot lol) Go Al Go! :)

Game of Thrones Preview in Entertainment Weekly!

It begins! Thanks so much to Entertainment Weekly, there are now ten new photos of HBO's most anticipated "Game of Thrones" series now online. Excellent photos have to say! These, a preview article and more are in the new issue due on newsstands tomorrow, woot!

FINGERS CROSSED we will see our first look at some of the fabulous Scottish actors part of this massive cast SOON, including long time friends of Sigma-the wonderful Jamie Sives (Jory Cassel), James Cosmo (Old Bear-Jeor) and Kate Dickie (Lysa Arran.) Unlikely they will be included this go around though, or maybe Jamie is in the background on one -high res please!- but we can always hope! Anyway BRING IT ALL ON!
THANKS SO MUCH to Entertainment Weekly for sending over the news! :)

No official airdate for GoT has been yet released, but UK viewers will see it for sure (Sky ) as well as the always fab HBO and more. I know that Amazon and more have a March 22 release date set for the re-issue of Game of Thrones w/the HBO cover , and the publishers note this book is due to be out in conjunction with the pilot episode, so roll on Spring 2011! :)

Review of Donkeys at RBC, Plus Showing Dundee, Falkirk this week

There's a lovely review online tonight of the screening of Donkeys recently at the Robert Burns Centre, which also featured a Q & A session with director Morag Mckinnon. The author of the blog writes "With its well-handled mixture of tragedy and comedy, it brings to mind the Mike Leigh classic Secret and Lies. The success of this movie is in the truth of the character driven performances that are natural and totally believable. " You can also see some new photos of Morag at the event, so do check that out.

Donkeys continues their journey through Scotland, showing later this week at Cineworld Falkirk on the 11th, and Cineworld Dundee on the 12

BIFA Updates with Jury Pages for Sigma's David Mackenzie, Actor Jamie Sives

As noted previously, Sigma Films co-founder and director great David Mackenzie is on this year's British Independent Film Awards jury. Joining him is Scottish actor (and friend to Sigma) Jamie Sives. The website for the awards has now been updated to include pages for both these gentlemen. Although not much content, this page for David does list his impressive previous BIFA noms. UPDATE: David's page has now been lol updated :D Nice writeup, thank you BIFA

David Mackenzie first became noticed as a talent to watch with his debut feature, the experimental psych-road movie, The Last Great Wilderness, which premiered at the 2002 Edinburgh Film Festival. He followed this with the notorious thriller, Young Adam, starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Mortimer and Tilda Swinton, which won several awards including four Scottish BAFTAs and the Best British Film award at the Edinburgh Film Festival. David cast Ian McKellen and the late Natasha Richardson in his next feature – Asylum – which premiered in the 2005 Berlinale, where it won the Arthouse Guild award. His subsequent feature, Hallam Foe, starring Jamie Bell, premiered at the 2007 Berlinale, winning a Silver Bear and the Arthouse Guild award, before going on to win the Hitchcock D’Or at Dinard and gain six BIFA nominations and a Scottish BAFTA. David’s most recent work, the US feature, Spread, starring Ashton Kutcher, premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival ahead of a global release later that year.
David currently has two films in post-production: the music festival-set comedy, You Instead, and Perfect Sense, starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green. Both films are due for release in 2011.
David is a founder and director of Glasgow-based Sigma Films.


I LOVED the Jamie Sives page, detailed and nicely written, and (ok I cant help it sorry) includes the news I broke on Jamie's recent best actor award wheeeee! THANKS BIFA! :D

The BIFAs will be presented in London next month, 5 December.

Jamie Sives: "Triage" Renamed "Shell Shock" for UK DVD Release

Good news for UK Jamie Sives fans! While there appears to be no theatrical release imminent, the UK will be seeing Danis Tanovic's "Triage" in the near future. Now renamed "Shell Shock" (with an 18 rating) the film will be released in the UK on DVD February 28, 2011 with pre-orders now available at Play.com and Amazon.co.uk.

If you've not yet had the chance (or ordered the DVD from the UK or elsewhere -its out now in many countries, recently France and in Germany next year too), I do recommend it, esp for the bonus INTERVIEW with Jamie (which I'd upload but know sure as shooting it'd get removed. HES SOOO gracious tho about his co-stars, esp Colin, and a bit funny too. Plus he looks so very handsome in his sunglasses (and makes a funny comment too but I dont want to spoil it for yall)

Reminder: Colin Kennedy's "I Love Luci" Screening at AFT This Weekend

Just a reminder and recap today, especially that Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci is screening on TWO continents this weekend GO LUCI GO!

Luci is home land bound on the UK as it screens tonight at the Inverness Film Festival and the RBC
Luci is also screening in the US as it is in competition at the AFI tomorrow
GO LUCI GO!

Here is also a handy list of screenings for Sigma films Donkeys (and Luci is showing before many of these as well)
ROLL ON SIGMA! :)

Now thru 11 November: Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre

7 November: Apple Store, Glasgow 4:00-5:00pm Meet filmmakers!!!

8 November: Robert Burns Centre Dumfries, Morag Mckinnon Q & A afterwards 6:30pm

11 November: Cineworld Falkirk, 6:45pm

12 November: Cineworld Dundee, 6:45pm

12-November-17 November: Inverness Film Festival, Eden Court
TICKET INFO HERE

Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci to screen before Outcast 6 NOVEMBER Eden Court; ticket info here

Rumor Alert: A Perfect Sense for Sundance Festival and David Mackenzie

oooh here's an interesting report today...ION Cinema has their predictions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival now online, and included their wish and hope that David Mackenzie's "Perfect Sense" starring Ewan McGregor and Eva Green might debut at the vaunted event early next year. Quotage:
It used to go by another title, it looked pegged for a 2010 release, so there are big question marks with Perfect Sense. Logically a double dip in Sundance and Berlin would occur, but that depends on where David MacKenzie is at with his current project, In the Park. MacKenzie was actually in Park City in 2009 with Spread - the Ashton Kutcher sex dramedy. Will Sundance play host to a romantic drama featuring Ewan McGregor, Eva Green, Connie Nielsen, Ewen Bremner, Stephen Dillane and Alastair Mackenzie? If so, we can expect a Premieres category announcement.

This oracle thinks that, while this is just a rumor and speculation, a turn at Sundance makes absolutely perfect sense oooh ;P for what is surely going to be an absolutely perfectly enjoyable film; what do you think?

Charity Auction Includes Autographed Photo of Jamie Sives

Speaking of charities, there is an auction currently underway for this autographed photo of actor Jamie Sives. Held by the 10GrandCharityChallenge, proceeds from this sale and all the others will benefit the Great Ormond Street Hospital, which does so much to help very ill children. This has been verified by Jamie to be his, its the real deal, so be sure to bid as the auction runs now until 12 November. Good luck!

Close to the Heart: Jamie Sives and Charity to Learn About

Grief has a funny way of manifesting: silence, anger, laughter, tears, solitude, massive work, quiet loud, good, really bad darkness, can be slow to overcome, threaten to take you down or work its way out in unexpected manners. On this one year anniversary of the passing of my mother from ALS and dealing with another terminal illness in the family, it's been hard for me to want to look beyond my own self. However, there has been some light at the end of the tunnel, life is picking up somewhat, but sometimes, a reminder of others suffering and loss are what you need to help put things into perspective.

While actor Jamie Sives is one very busy man these days and we probably wont hear much from him in the near future, I was grateful to learn of a charity that is close to his heart and wanted to pass this along so maybe others can see what good can come out of loss. Sounds simplistic yes, and there are a whole host of good and deserving charities that deserve our attention and support, but perhaps you will consider this one-Eilidh Brown

Be warned though, for a beautiful bald-headed smiling face of a teenage girl who lost her battle against cancer will greet you when you click on that link. One smiling lovely face, full of joy and laughter and love, an image of a lovely light that is now gone far far too soon. I know we've all seen this same type of photo before (I know I have as a long time supporter of St Jude) and the words of her life and passing will touch your heart and still you might hesitate for the world is surely full of hurt and sorrow and pain. But please take time to read about the efforts of her family (her dad is actor Gordon Brown, who co-starred with Jamie Sives and Mads Mikkelsen in Valhalla Rising and w/Jamie in Sigma's Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself) and all friends from Stirling, Scotland the UK the world over who during this holiday season are efforting a memorial fund to help build a home for families to stay in to be near their loved one who is in treatment and battles this terrible terrible disease. You can hear more from Gordon and his wife here in this news story. Quotage:

We are not good at asking for things at the best of times, partly now because this is so close to us that rejection is hard to take. But we have this goal in sight. If people were to offer their help either through cash donations, donating items, or even their time and expertise we would be incredibly thankful.

“Our ultimate aim is to create a holiday home here in the Stirling area where young people and their families in similar situations can spend time together.

“But it’s not just about the holiday home, but also being able to provide them with everything they need while they are there, whether that’s a Playstation or a pass to a local tourist attraction.

“All our energy went into caring for Eilidh and her brother and sister over that period so we know the financial pressure that places on families. We don’t want these families to worry about any of that while they are here.”

Mum Nicole (37) added: “Eilidh was a wee darling. She was always more worried about everyone else than she ever was about herself, about how we were coping and especially her sister Hannah (12) and brother Lewis (10), who have gone through things themselves no child should ever experience...

We took so much when she was ill from a place called Calum’s Cabin, which is our inspiration for this.

“It’s easy for those of us who live in and around Stirling to forget what a picture postcard place it is. For other families – both here and from across the UK – who are going through difficult times, to get something from being here would be a great tribute to Eilidh.

“There’s lots to think about, and to be honest it’s pretty daunting and terrifying, but failure isn’t an option we can contemplate. For the people of Stirling to get behind this would be amazing.”

If you should like to help, you can do so via the website. Important: please note here is also to be a special memorial fund-raising concert held Sat 15 January 2011, 7:00PM - Tickets £25 at the Macroberts centre that will feature Billy Boyd (LoTr) and John Fratelli among others; more info here.

Thank you Jamie for passing along the info about this effort and as simplistic as it may seem, thanks for reminding me that to best heal a heart it is best served by helping others.

It Makes Perfect Sense: Theres a Bright 2011 ahead for Sigma Films!

Even though its only November, there are a few pieces of news today that bring glad tidings of all the cool things in store for fans of Sigma in 2011!

First and foremost: the roll out of Morag Mckinnon's acclaimed "Donkeys" throughout Scotland continues, and as as special bonus contest, you can now show proof you've seen the latest installment in the Advance Party series from Sigma, and win a chance to attend the UK premiere of David Mackenzie's forthcoming "Perfect Sense" (and even mingle with stars Ewan McGregor and Eva Green!) HOW COOL IS THIS?! very! Be sure to check my post below (or click here) for the remaining screening dates, and as noted by ReelScotland, take a photo of your ticket stub, and do one of the following:

• Logon to Facebook, tag the photograph as ‘Donkeys’ and ‘ReelScotland’ then post a shared link to all your friends on Facebook.
• Tweet the photograph to @reelscotland
• Or if you’re not a social networking fan, email the photograph to richard@reelscotland.com

...then cross your fingers! :) Without blabbing too much, I'm fairly certain Santa will be bringing us big news sooon on when Perfect Sense is launching and whatnot, so stay tuned! :) ho ho wheee!

Also Citadel is currently in early production phase now based at Film City Glasgow, with shooting due to start in a few weeks-more on that new film from producer Brian Coffey and director Ciaran Foy soon!

Sigma's own Colin Kennedy will be making his way to (a hopefully sunny and warm!) LA this weekend as his multi award-winning short film I LOVE LUCI is in competition at the AFI and will screen THIS WEEKEND, SUNDAY Nov 7 at 1:15
More info/tickets avail etc HERE.
Be sure to check out the Luci site here; Luci's official facebook page here.
If you are in the US/LA area and can attend, PLEASE DO for this film starring Colin Harris and Camila Rutherford is quite funny and lovely and you wont regret it! GO LUCI GO
Thoughts and love are with Colin this weekend!

While news has been errm erratic on this front *sigh*, Bankside films today (as seen in Screendaily) announced they have taken on David Mackenzie's other big new film due out next year too, now called "You Instead." I will have much much more on this soon, sorry thats the best I can do for now, but hang in there!

Finally, speaking of Bankside, Outcast (blogged about here previously and filmed in part in Scotland) will see a US release by the Indomina Group. No word when, but hopefully in 2011 too. Outcast stars the uber fantastic James Nesbitt, Kate Dickie (Donkeys, Red Road) and James Cosmo (kick-ass star of many many wonderful films including Sigma's current hit Donkeys).

"Monster Mutt" w/Alastair Mackenzie Due on DVD Jan 4

Monster Mutt, the family friendly 'horror' film featuring Sigma's own Alastair Mackenzie, will be heading to DVD shortly. After screening recently at the London Children's Film Festival over the weekend, there is news now the film will be released on DVD January 4th and is apparently a Walmart exclusive item. Updates to follow once this becomes available for pre-order etc.

Jamie Sives Wins "Best Actor" Award at Jean Carmet Festival

Another bit of good news today, as CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Jamie Sives who was named BEST ACTOR by jury award for his role in the short film Tremblay en-France recently at the Jean Carmet Festival! Way to go Jamie!

Jamie Sives and David Mackenzie Join 2010 British Independent Film Award Jury

Well here is double cool news to start the month off right: actor Jamie Sives (Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself, Jory in upcoming Game of Thrones) and director (Sigma's own) David Mackenzie have joined the 2010 British Independent Film Awards Jury. These awards will be presented in London next month on the 5th at an event hosted by James Nesbitt at the Old Billingsgate. Fantastic news, and congrats to Jamie and David on this honor (hope you pick well too lol) Complete list of nominees can be found at this link.

UPDATE: Just got word that indeed Jamie Sives is very much planning on attending this event unless something crops up with a work commitment, so fingers toes crossed and double crossed we will get to see him there!

Donkeys Roundup: Ticket Info and More for November Screenings

As the month draws to an end and a new one soon to start, here is a recap of practical info from my earlier posts/ round up of the screening dates and times for "Donkeys" in November.

1 November-4 November: Edinburgh Filmhouse; TICKETS HERE
(Morag Mckinnon, Colin McLaren, Kate Dickie & Brian Pettifer Q & A session the 1st)

4 November-5 November : Cineworld AberdeenUnion Square; Tickets here

5 November: Cineworld Edinburgh, two pm showings, ticket info here

7 November: Apple Store, Glasgow 4:00-5:00pm Meet filmmakers

8 November: Robert Burns Centre Dumfries, Morag Mckinnon Q & A afterwards 6:30pm

11 November: Cineworld Falkirk, 6:45pm

12 November: Cineworld Dundee, 6:45pm

12-November-17 November: Inverness Film Festival, Eden Court
TICKET INFO HERE

Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci to screen before Outcast 6 NOVEMBER Eden Court; ticket info here

Please note: a few more articles mentioning Donkeys are now online but frankly are just cut and paste/recap of STV piece from the other day alas. Still, all mentions are greatly appreciated-keep on getting the word out! :) Also worth noting are two contest to win free tickets to see "Donkeys" in theatres
1)Podcast cart

2)Radio Magnetic

Jamie Sives Attends Game of Thrones Fan/Cast Meet Up in Belfast

Many cast members from HBO's upcoming Game of Thrones series attended a special fan/cast meet-up Thursday night in Belfast. There are now some great new photos of the event, including some wonderful new photos of Jamie Sives (Jory) at this event with the lucky fans (even author George RR Martin was there!), with photos courtesy and belonging strictly to Martin/Wyvernwood here at Flickr or over at the WIC.net site. Be sure to check out the earlier report here, as well as one from the equally excellent Westeros for more (additional pic of Jamie Sives too) on what looks to have been a truly amazing night-LUCKY (and many congrats for sure to SilverJamie and Jackie who got to meet and get pics and kisses from the man himself, wow!!!!!!!!! sooo cool, Jamie is really the best! :)

UPDATE: Jackie has updated her blog with more on the event, including this bit about her conversation with Jamie :D She writes:

James Sives was charming and had also visited my home town and towns near by "Tayport on Tay, by the Tay, the Port on the Tay. Not to be confused with Newport on Tay" ;) We had a fun argument as to here Ron Donachie was from since he was generalising it to Fundee (Dundee) and I was claiming he was a Fifer (it's a local thing but terribly important! ;).

Update 2: Jackie was also kind enough to let me know in the comments on her blog that Jamie also mentioned reviewing films for the BIFAs ( heh he needs to get teh lead out on watching that batch for sure oy, poor guy he's been so busy and now blammo!)
IMPORTANT She also said he mentioned that he is heading to LA after Thrones to try and break into the US scene ....!!! OH YEA! :))))))
THANK YOU JACKIE!

Reminder: "Donkeys" Screening at Cineworld Glasgow Starting This Weekend

As "Donkeys" continues to screen in various venues all across Scotland, a reminder the newest film from Sigma will be playing at the Cineworld Glasgow (Renfew St, the largest cinema complex in the UK) starting this weekend on Friday, October 29 and running for a week. You can purchase your tickets in advance here at this link.

On a related note, Scottish Television featured Sigma and Donkeys again today in a new piece that included a small quote from producer Gillian Berrie, as well as a mention of a special one-off screening of the film next month at the new Apple Store on November 7th. Of interest:

The film’s producers Sigma Films – renowned for their unconformist approach to filmmaking including using only first-time directors and a pool of young Scottish actors – decided to distribute the film themselves and are delighted to be signing a deal with Cineworld.

Gillian Berries, co-director of Sigma Films, said: “We know that Scottish cinema-goers are loyal and supportive, and we believe that this film will absolutely satisfy the wicked Scottish sense of humour.”

Highlights of Donkeys big-screen run also include showings at the Robert Burns Centre in Dumfries and a special one-off presentation at the Apple Store in Glasgow on November 7.

Stan the Giant Donkey on the Loose in Streets of Glasgow!

Forget the talk of Zombies on the loose this Halloween in Glasgow, you should be on the lookout for a giant Donkey (who I have now dubbed 'Stan') wandering about in the environs of the stylist Scottish city!!!!! This is NO mere Loch Ness sighting, no indeed, its the real thing - a sad strange large yet cuddley Donkey, looking for ...a home, a kind soul to pay him heed, or... an audience ;)
as witnessed in the video below....






DEAR PEOPLE OF SIGMA FILMS, I LOVE YOU
and this hilarious marketing/ad for the wonderful "Donkeys" film is quite fun!
GO SEE DONKEYS IN SCOTTISH THEATRES NOW!
www.facebook.com/donkeysmovie for locations and dates!

"I Love Luci" to Screen at Inverness Film Fest, AFI in California!

The good news for Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci keeps on pouring as, as not only will the multi award-winning short from Sigma play before the continued showings of Donkeys all next month, but also Luci will screen at the Inverness Film Festival 6 November as well as in competition at the prestigious AFI in California! wow! Go Luci Go!

The details: Inverness Film Festival at Eden Court will see Luci screen right before Colm McCarthy's "Outcast" on 6 November at 10:00 pm; tickets to this NOW ONSALE AT THIS LINK. Longtime readers will recall several mentions on Outcast which filmed in Edinburgh, and along with the excellent James Nesbitt, stars James Cosmo and Kate Dickie...who of course star in Sigma's latest film Donkeys! coolo (and bonus points for the six degrees of Sigma game ;) In case you haven't yet seen the film, here is the trailer for Outcast as well as for the hilarious (Colin Harris is top notch) I Love Luci





Luci will also be showing at Eden court when it screens for an ENTIRE WEEK with DONKEYS running 12 November to 17 November. Tickets for the Luci/ Donkeys combo at Eden Court ARE NOW ON SALE HERE AT THIS LINK! Director Morag McKinnon and more will be at the 12 November screening, so act now to get your tickets!

Also, early (official announcement next week) but "I Love Luci" will also be in competition at the vaunted AFI festival in California, which is fairly big deal I think so rock on Colin, Brian and Co!!!! :) More details/ticket info released next week, stay tuned!

Updated w/Video Plus Photos of Kate Dickie, James Cosmo More at GFT!

Check it out! Here are a few snaps of the cast members at the special screening of Donkeys last Friday at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Pictured below are (l-r)
Kate Dickie, Brian Pettifer, James Cosmo and director Morag McKinnon (pls. writer Colin McLaren above)

There was quite the crowd for the event as you can see, just wonderful! :) Thanks so much to Sigma for those pics!
UPDATE: The Sunday Mail also has an interview with James Cosmo regarding his work on Donkeys, where he says : "It's a fantastic script which really intrigued me.It was fun to let loose and I was nervous because I'm not known particularly as a comedy actor, and that was a really interesting departure for me."

ALSO: Reel Scotland has a video interview with James, Kate and Brian Pettifer that is ...well, watch below!

Jamie Sives Guest Role on "Outcasts" Set for Third Episode

Followup: The official IMDB page for actor Jamie Sives has now been updated with a bit more on his guest role for the upcoming series "Outcasts." Jamie will be seen in the role of 'Leon' for the third episode of the new series from the BBC starring Jamie Bamber, set to air both on BBC 2 and BBC America later this fall/early winter. No formal airdate has yet been announced; updates on that to follow when available.


Meanwhile, two DVD update reminders: Get Him to the Greek is on DVD/iTunes all over now (Jamie has a very brief cameo), and Valhalla Rising-while already on DVD in the UK-will see a US DVD release on November 30, with pre-orders available here.

"Donkeys" Stars Kate Dickie and Brian Pettifer to Attend Special Screenings, More!

Some great news for fans who will be attending the special screenings of Sigma's newest film Donkeys this Friday (8 October) at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Due to attend are two of the wonderful cast, including the superb actress KATE DICKIE and actor Brian Pettifer. They will be joined by director Morag McKinnon and screenwriter Colin McLaren, as well as producers Gillian Berrie and Anna Duffield. As noted previously, as a special bonus, award-winning short I Love Luci will be playing before the showings of Donkeys, and on Friday you can meet and speak with writer/director Colin Kennedy and Brian Coffey too! What a great night that will be!

The opportunity to hear from and meet these impressive people continues for the very next night (9 October), a one night only screening of Donkeys will take place at the Perth Playhouse (tickets available here) Attending this event will be:
director Morag McKinnon
writer Colin McLaren
producer Gillian Berrie
Stars: Brian Pettifer and Kate Dickie

I Love Luci will see Colin Kennedy and Brian Coffey there as well!

Finally, as noted before EDINBURGH will also have their chance to see this film when it screens at Filmhouse cinema (tickets available at this link), starting 1 November. At the special Q & A session, lucky fans will hear from Morag McKinnon, Colin McLaren, actor Brian Pettifer, and Sigma's own and the producing directing crew of Luci: Brian Coffey and Colin Kennedy.

MORE MAY BE ANNOUNCED SOON, STAY TUNED!
IF YOU ARE ATTENDING, PLEASE PLEASE send in your reports and photos and we will be glad to post or tweet and post on the Facebook pages :)

Bonus: The List magazine has a short preview of Donkeys online that you can read right here.

Martin Compston Talks "Donkeys" and more on STV

Actor Martin Compston was a guest on STV's The Hour show yesterday where he discussed his role as Stevie in "Donkeys." In the video which you can see right here at this link, Martin discusses the series and working with the second director, Morag Mckinnon "“I’m really proud of it, because the pressure was on following Red Road. Margaret (McKinnon) done a great job directing and everyone enjoyed working for her.

“It’s a complicated structure but it’s really the second part of a trilogy, a follow up to Red Road. Some of the characters might seem familiar, but the storyline is totally different.”

"Donkeys" will see a limited release in Scotland, starting with a week long stop starting this week on Friday at the Glasgow Film Theatre.

Tickets Going Fast for "Donkeys," Plus New Contest!

Quick reminder that tickets remain but are going fast for the screening of "Donkeys," the second film in the acclaimed Advance Party series from Sigma. Screening this week in the town where it was made, Donkeys will be screening at the Glasgow Film Theatre THIS WEEK STARTING ON FRIDAY, 8 October featuring a very special appearance from CAST and Crew after the 6:30 showing. Be sure to get your tickets at this link. Plus do not forget, Colin Kennedy's award-winning short "I Love Luci" will be screening before each of the showings of Donkeys, which is very cool news indeed.

Speaking of cool, Sigma has launched a new contest to win tickets to see "Donkeys" so if you are a member of Facebook, head here for more-good luck! Finally, in a fun series of updates we learned a random selection of things about the wonderful star, actor James Cosmo, including that apparantly he's a fire hazard ;), he's prone to finding unusual things in his drinks and lolz, thats he's a better poker player than ole Mel (some might argue that he's a better actor but eh that's neither here nor there.) You can see some good highlights of James when he worked with Mel (who frankly earned those oscars cause I still think it's a superb film) in this showreel, including footage from Braveheart.