ANTHONY MINGHELLA

WRITER, producer and director Anthony Minghella should have been celebrating his 55th birthday today were it not for the sad fact that he died almost a year ago.

The Reader, out this week in cinemas, closed with a tribute 'in loving memory of' notice to both him and colleague Sydney Pollack who died a few weeks later in May last year.

Yet there is more to come from Minghella. Nine, which he adapted from the book by Arthur L Kopit stars Daniel Day-Lewis in a film directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago).

The exceptional cast includes Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson and Sophia Loren.

Currently in post-production, Nine is set for release in December.

Minghella was also an executive producer on Margaret, a forthcoming film starring Anna Paquin, Matt Damon, Jean Reno and Mark Ruffalo.