DEER HUNTER / BLADE RUNNER / ITALIAN JOB PRODUCER COMES TO BRUM

By Graham Young on Nov 24, 08 05:06 PM

RENOWNED Oscar-winning film producer Michael Deeley will be in Birmingham on Friday, December 5 to offer a master class to regional producers who are developing their own feature film projects.

Deeley, who is behind the cult classics Blade Runner, The Deer Hunter and The Italian Job, will be discussing his career with journalist and author Matthew Field in a conversation illustrated with clips from an incredible body of work.

Deeley links Ridley Scott's visionary sci-fi classic, a searing study of lives ruined by the Vietnam War, and a much-loved British caper that made an icon of Michael Caine.

But the urbane Englishman had to fight wars to get all three of these movies on to cinema screens at all.

His many other challenges have included: defending the legendary sex scene of Nic Roeg's Don't Look Now; ordering the controversial cutting of Robin Hardy's The Wicker Man; trekking up a New Mexico mountainside with David Bowie to realise The Man Who Fell To Earth; and seizing control of Convoy from a cocaine-ridden Sam Peckinpah.

The event, hosted by The Producers' Forum, starts at 6.30pm at the Electric Cinema, Station Street.

Forum Manager Laura Breakwell says: "It's fantastic that we will be welcoming one of Britain's most successful producers to Birmingham.

"This is a great opportunity for anyone working in film in the region to hear from a leading producer whose experience spans decades and a range of classic films.

"It is also a chance for fans of The Italian Job to get to see this classic British film on the big screen on the eve of its 40 birthday in 2009."

Further information about the event, including how to book to attend, can be found on The Producers' Forum website: www.producersforum.org.uk.

To book tickets contact the Electric Cinema box office on 0121 643 7879 (£10 / £8 to Producers' Forum members).

Michael will also be signing copies of his new book; 'Blade Runners, Deer Hunters & Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: My Life in Cult Movies'.