The Works To Distribute 'Closing The Ring'

Independent film distributor, The Works, has acquired the UK and Ireland rights to Richard Attenborough’s 'Closing The Ring', a film shot and produced in Northern Ireland and funded through Northern Ireland Screen.
The romantic drama is set for release on 28 December and will be the first for the company’s new Head of Irish Distribution Mervyn Andrews.
Closing the Ring is a love story, interwoven between the present day and the Second World War and features an international cast of Shirley Maclaine (In Her Shoes), Christopher Plummer (A Beautiful Mind, Syriana) Brenda Fricker (Inside I’m Dancing, Tara Road), Neve Campbell (Scream, The Craft) and Mischa Barton (The OC) and newcomer from Belfast, Martin McCann. The film receives its UK premiere at the London Film Festival on 21st October 2007.
Norman Humphrey, Chief Executive of The Works commented: "That we have been chosen to distribute the latest feature film by such an internationally respected director as Richard Attenborough is a great testament to our continued growth and recognition in the sector. The acquisition of Closing the Ring further strengthens our rapidly expanding catalogue."
The Works’ new Head of Irish Distribution Mervyn Andrews will oversee the Closing the Ring release in Ireland. The industry vet has worked in distribution for almost 50 years having previously headed up Irish distribution for Polygram, scoring notable successes with The Usual Suspects, Notting Hill and Trainspotting. More recently he was Head of Sales at Redbus and Lionsgate where he had hits such as Bend it Like Beckham and Jeepers Creepers’.
Mick Southworth, managing director of The Works UK Distribution, said: ”We expect Closing The Ring to be particularly successful in cinemas across Ireland where it was filmed,” adding “I have known and worked with Mervyn all my business life and there is simply no one better in the industry to lead our distribution activity in Ireland."
(DS)