Bankside teams with Breakthru, Trademark for Van Gogh feature

Sales and finance outfit Bankside has boarded sales on feature Loving Vincent, a “painted animation” about the untimely demise of Vincent Van Gogh.

The crime thriller, about the life and controversial death of the painter, is told through the words of the people he painted. It will be directed by classically trained painter and animator Dorota Kobiela.

The Breakthru Films/Trademark Films co-production is being co-directed and produced by Hugh Welchman. The UK co-producer is Ivan Mactaggart of Trademark Films, which most recently produced My Week With Marilyn. Executive producers are Sean Bobbitt and David Parfitt.

Bankside head of sales and marketing Stephen Kelliher said: “We are thrilled to be involved with this unique and highly original animated feature project. The international reputation of Vincent Van Gogh means that the film will have true worldwide appeal and audiences everywhere will instantly recognise the recreations of his important portraits and landscapes.”

Producer Welchman commented: “Sometimes something under your nose just comes up and punches you. We had this project in our slate, and so I turned up to a Van Gogh exhibition in some city and was surprised to find a four and a half hour queue ahead of me, then I realised we had to make this film, and make it now.

“I think Van Gogh’s images are seared on our eyeballs from youth without us really noticing, his popularity is out there and it is immense, and it turns out there are real dark twists in the recesses of history, ready to startle and amaze audiences just as much as his searing images. Bankside understood the project from the off, they saw where this could go, and I am delighted to be working with them.”

UK co-producer Mactaggart added: “Every once in a while a project comes along, so compelling and so distinctive that it offers the opportunity to take part in something exceptional.

“We couldn’t resist Loving Vincent and we’re delighted to be able to help Hugh and Dorota deliver a film which we know will be truly stunning.”