EXCLUSIVE: Fulwell 73 and Heavenly Films to co-produce a feature based on a screenplay by Kill Your Friends author John Niven, directed by documentary maker Paul Kelly.
Niven’s first novel, Kill Your Friends, has been adapted into a feature starring Nicholas Hoult that will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) tomorrow.
But more than a decade ago, before the Britpop-set novel was even published, Niven wrote screenplay Junk Mail with writing partner Nick Ball.
The story centres on a twentysomething postman who knows all the secrets of the residents in a rural village after years of rifling through their letters.
When a wealthy family relocates to the area from London, he soon discovers the real reason for their move and a growing obsession leads to an eventual bloody showdown.
Junk Mail marks the first collaboration between the UK’s Fulwell 73 (One Direction 3D: This Is Us) and Heavenly Films, an offshoot of the Heavenly Recordings music label that launched the careers of Manic Street Preachers and Saint Etienne.
The film will also mark the debut scripted feature of Heavenly Films’ Paul Kelly, whose previous works include documentaries Lawrence of Belgravia, Dexy’s: Nowhere Is Home and How We Used To Live.
Junk Mail will be co-produced by Martin Kelly and Justin King of Heavenly Films and Leo Pearlman of Fulwell 73. Production will begin next year.
Director Kelly said: “I’ve known John [Niven] since we were label mates at Heavenly Recordings sometime in the last century.
“His books cause me to laugh uncontrollably in public and when he and Nick Ball sent me the script for Junk Mail I pleaded with them to let me direct it.”
Niven said: “Junk Mail was one of two or three scripts Nick [Ball] and I wrote 13 or 14 years ago before I’d had a novel published.
“It was a pet project that we always loved but struggled to find a home for because it’s a really edgy piece of material.
“We’re both huge fans of Paul Kelly’s documentary work, and wondered if he might be looking to move into drama so sent the Junk Mail script to Paul and Martin [Kelly] on the off chance, really.
“Martin and Paul both loved it and that’s how we the project finally came into being.”
Heavenly Films co-producer Kelly said: “We’ve had the Junk Mail script in development for some time and it’s exciting seeing the project come together.
“Moving into co-production with Leo Pearlman and Fulwell 73 will make an important difference and I’m confident we have the right team now.”
Fulwell 73 co-producer Pearlman said: “Having been a fan of John’s writing ever since I jumped at the chance to work with Heavenly on John’s first original screenplay and simply can’t wait to see what Paul does with the material.”
No comments yet