What A Lovely War!

BBC Films, the UK Film Council and Aramid Entertainment have announced that principal photography has begun on a new 'razor sharp' political comedy, In The Loop - a comic approach to war and the politics surrounding it.
To be directed by master satirist Armando Iannucci, co-writing with Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche and Ian Martin (the writing team who created the BAFTA award-winning BBC hit, The Thick of It), this original screenplay has attracted a stellar cast including Tom Hollander (Elizabeth: The Golden Age / Pirates of The Caribbean: At Worlds End): James Gandolfini (The Sopranos); Chris Addison (The Thick of It); Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It / Doctor Who); Gina McKee (The Street / Atonement) and Steve Coogan (A Cock and Bull Story / Night At The Museum).
It is produced by Kevin Loader (The History Boys / Captain Corelli's Mandolin) and Adam Tandy (The Thick of It / I'm Alan Partridge).
In The Loop will be shot entirely on location in London, New York and Washington DC.
Protagonist Pictures will handle worldwide sales at this year's Cannes Marché. Optimum Releasing have the UK theatrical rights.
According to the story, the US President and UK Prime Minister suddenly fancy a war.
The US General Miller (James Gandolfini) doesn't think so and the British Secretary of State for International Development, Simon Foster (Tom Hollander), agrees with him. But, after Simon accidentally backs military action on prime-time TV, he suddenly has a lot of friends in Washington, DC.
Armando Iannucci, writer and director explained: "In these troubled times, I'm delighted that so many talented actors and writers are willing to come and make a comedy about a war on both sides of the Atlantic, and grateful to the BBC and the UK Film Council for their support."
Kevin Loader, Producer added: "We hope that In The Loop will make you cry with laughter - and possibly fear - as it takes you behind the scenes in the heart of the global political village."
(BMcC)