'Parole Officer' in running for BAFTA

A MOVIE partly shot in Liverpool, with the assistance of the city council’s Film Office, has been nominated for a top industry award.
The film 'The Parole Officer', written by Steve Coogan and Henry Norman, is in the running for the Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer to British Film at the BAFTA Film Awards.
The Film Office provided specialised local knowledge regarding locations, crews and casting, as well as assisting the film's producers in dealing with council officials and regulations regarding road closures and shooting schedules.
Lynn Saunders, manager of Liverpool City Council’s Film Office said: “The Parole Officer was a wonderful advert for the city because audiences across the country saw what a stunning place Liverpool is.
“It also helped cement our growing reputation as the number one location for producers and directors to come and film.
“I am delighted that it has been nominated for a BAFTA and wish Steve and Henry the best of luck.”
The former Bank of England on Castle Street, Liverpool, provided the location for dramatic scenes at the climax of the film, in which Coogan has to break into a bank vault and abseil across the roof of the building. The road was also used for a lengthy sequence in which hundreds of cyclists take part in a protest rally.
Councillor Frank Doran, Executive Board member for Leisure and Culture, said: “Liverpool welcomes film makers with open arms because we realise what a valuable contribution they make to the economy of the city.
“It is a fantastic achievement for a film to be nominated for such a top prize and I congratulate the writers and everyone else who worked so hard to make the film a success.”
The winners will be announced at the BAFTA ceremony on February 24 2002.
(GB)