The Weinstein Company is pleased to announce that production has begun on "The Reader" starring Nicole Kidman, Ralph Fiennes and David Kross. "The Reader", a haunting love story based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Bernhard Schlink, is directed by Stephen Daldry from a screenplay written by David Hare.
"The Reader" is being filmed in Germany and New York, with Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack producing through their company, Mirage Enterprises, with Scott Rudin.
Studio Babelsberg’s Carl Woebcken and Christoph Fisser are co-producing, together with Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures’ Henning Molfenter. Redmond Morris is the executive producer. The Weinstein Company is financing the production with Studio Babelsberg, and will handle theatrical distribution of the film in the U.S. and worldwide sales.
Set in postwar Germany, "The Reader" tells the story of a man whose life has been shaped by an illicit affair with a passionate, elusive older woman during his youth.
"The Reader" reunites Kidman, Daldry, Hare, Rudin and Bob and Harvey Weinstein following their successful collaboration on "The Hours", which was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 2002, and for which Kidman was awarded Best Actress in a Leading Role.
The behind-the-scenes team for "The Reader" includes five-time Academy Award-nominated director of photography Roger Deakins and Academy Award-winning editor Claire Simpson, as well as Academy Award-winning costume designer Ann Roth, Academy Award-winning production designer Brigitte Broch, and hair and make-up designer Ivana Primorac.
Bernhard Schlink’s THE READER has been translated into 39 languages and has garnered numerous awards. THE READER was the first German novel to reach number one on The New York Times Bestseller List.
Nicole Kidman’s upcoming films include “Margot at the Wedding” and “The Golden Compass”. She is currently shooting Baz Luhrmann’s “Australia”.
Two-time Academy Award-nominee Ralph Fiennes has recently completed Martin McDonagh’s feature film “In Bruges” with Colin Farrell.
"The Reader" is Stephen Daldry’s first film since “The Hours”. He most recently directed the hit London stage musical “Billy Elliot”, which opens in Australia in December 2007 and on Broadway in autumn 2008.
Further information: Jonathan Rutter/Sue Watkins
Premier PR
Jonathan.rutter()premierpr.com / sue.watkins()premierpr.com
Tel: +44 20 7292 8330
