UK independent outfit Swipe Films is to handle world sales on Sparkling: The Story Of Champagne, a feature documentary that will include Stephen Fry and leading names from the world of fine wine.
The film marks the directorial debut of Irish producer and Swipe Films managing director Frank Mannion, and is in post-production. The first footage will be shown to buyers at the European Film Market (EFM) in March, with the feature set to be completed in time for Cannes. Talks are underway with an agency to co-represent in the US.
The documentary will include contributions from actor Stephen Fry and a cast from the world of champagne including Taittinger heiress Vitalie Taittinger, Bruno Paillard, Oz Clarke, best-selling authors Don and Petie Kladstrup, Cristal wine-maker Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, and Nicholas Soames, Conservative party MP and grandson of Winston Churchill, who allegedly consumed more than 40,000 bottles of Pol Roger in his lifetime.
Major champagne houses that will feature in the film include Pol Roger, Piper Heidsieck, Taittinger, Dom Perignon, Bruno Paillard, Pommery, Cristal/Louis Roederer, Bollinger, which has appeared in 15 James Bond movies including No Time To Die, Jay Z-owned Armand de Brignac and Brad Pitt’s newly launched Champagne Fleur de Miraval.
The film was financed by Kasiyan Knockbeg Enterprises, CBS 1A1 Motion Picture Fund, Carlow Castle Films and Hangman London. Producers are Oxana Popkova and Mannion.
The film was shot on location in France, England and New York. “We were fortunate to be able to shoot during lockdown as champagne producers were classified as essential workers,” said Mannion.
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