Gillian Berrie

Gillian Berrie is a film producer and co-founder of the Glasgow-based production company Sigma Films with director David Mackenzie.[1]

Gillian Berrie
Director David Mackenzie & Producer Gillian Berrie (2016)
NationalityScottish
OccupationFilm Producer
OrganizationSigma Films
Websitehttp://www.sigmafilms.com

Berrie also founded Film City Glasgow, the state-of-the-art creative cluster for production, picture and sound post which spearheads independent production in Scotland.[2]

She also created the hugely successful Jumpcut project which is dedicated to giving young and underprivileged people access to working in the film industry through a pop-up film school that creates an intensive, mentor-lead fast track into the industry for those without any chance of access. Jumpcut's films regularly compete internationally. The project is widely regarded as a runaway success.[3]

Career

When starting out, Berrie worked on numerous no budget / low budget productions in many different capacities. Alongside, she wrote and produced David Mackenzie's California Sunshine (1997) and Somersault (2000), both multi-award-winning shorts. She then went on to work as a casting director on Ken Loach's My Name is Joe (1998) and Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher (1999) and in production on Ken Loach's Carla's Song (1996) and Peter Mullan's Orphans (1998), amongst others.

Berrie then embarked on developing and producing numerous feature projects beginning with David Mackenzie's The Last Great Wilderness (2002) which was co-produced by Zentropa [4] and premiered in Toronto in 2002.

Over the next two years Berrie received producer credits on 3 films including Lone Scherfig's Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002), Lars von Trier's Dogville (2003) and David Mackenzie's Young Adam (2003). The latter two were regarded as groundbreaking, both premiering at Cannes in the same year and going on to win awards around the world. In 2004, Berrie co-produced Shona Auerbach's Dear Frankie starring Emily Mortimer and Gerard Butler. It premiered at Tribeca Film Festival and competed in Un Certain Regard at Cannes.[5] Berrie continued nurturing the relationship with Zentropa by co-producing the likes of Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002), Dogville (2003), Brothers (2004), Dear Wendy (2004), Manderlay (2005) and After the Wedding (2006).[6] This collaboration has received numerous plaudits from critics with awards and recognition from all over the world including BAFTA, Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Awards.[7][8][9][10][11]

Together with Zentropa's Sisse Graum Jorgensen and Lars von Trier, Berrie developed the Advance Party Project[12] which was specifically designed to give directors their first break at feature film level. It produced Andrea Arnold's Cannes-Jury-Prize-winning debut Red Road (2006) [13] and Morag McKinnon's BAFTA-Scotland-winning Donkeys (2010).[14]

Berrie and Mackenzie's second feature film collaboration was Hallam Foe (2007), starring Jamie Bell and Sophia Myles. It won many awards including a Silver Bear in Berlin 2007,[15] the Golden Hitchcock and Kodak Award at the Dinard Festival of British Cinema 2007,[16] and the 2008 National Board of Review Award for Top Independent Film,[17] as well as numerous other nominations including for Bell and Myles' performances.[18]

Berrie and Zentropa collaborated again to make David Mackenzie's sixth feature film, sci-fi romance Perfect Sense (2011)[19] with Ewan McGregor and Eva Green.[20] The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011 and picked up numerous awards at film festivals around the world including Edinburgh, Bratislava and Philadelphia International Film Festivals.[21]

Immediately afterwards Berrie produced the Mackenzie directed the comedy musical You Instead (2011) [released as Tonight You're Mine in the US]. Remarkably it was filmed over four and a half days at the Scottish music festival T in the Park in 2010 where the cast and crew had to adopt a kind of guerrilla filmmaking approach to shoot amidst the chaos of a music festival alongside over 100,000 revellers.[20] It sold to numerous territories throughout the world and premiered at both T in the Park in 2011 and at Austin's SXSW.[22]

Next, Berrie produced Mackenzie's Starred Up (2013), starring Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn and Rupert Friend. The story is based on writer Jonathan Asser's real-life experiences as a voluntary therapist in a London prison.[23] The film was critically acclaimed and won numerous awards including the BAFTA Scotland 2014 Best Film and Best Director Awards,[24] seven BIFA nominations [25] and holds a remarkable 99% Rotten Tomatoes score.[26]

Berrie also co-produced Jonathan Glazer's highly regarded Under the Skin (2013) starring Scarlett Johansson.[27] It had its World Premiere at Telluride at the same time as Starred Up, then played Venice Film Festival and has since picked up over 20 awards and 90 nominations internationally.

In late 2016, Berrie EP'd on TV pilot Damnation for the USA Network, directed by Mackenzie. [28] Described as an epic saga of the secret history of the 1930s American heartland, it chronicles the mythic conflict and bloody struggle between big money and the downtrodden, God and greed, charlatans and prophets.[29] In May 2017, Damnation was picked up to series by the USA Network and has been released by Netflix outside of the USA.[30]

In 2017, Berrie began production on David Mackenzie's tenth feature, Outlaw King. The film stars Chris Pine as Robert the Bruce, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson playing James Douglas, Florence Pugh playing Elizabeth de Burgh and Billy Howle as Edward, the Prince of Wales. Sigma Films produced the historical epic which was released internationally by Netflix on November 9, 2018.

Berrie's company, Sigma Films, regularly produces the debut features of first-time directors including Andrea Arnold (Red Road), Morag MacKinnon (Donkeys), Ciarán Foy (Citadel), Colin Kennedy (Swung) and Robert Carlyle (The Legend of Barney Thomson).

In 2002, Berrie received the BAFTA Scotland Outstanding Contribution Award for her achievements in the Scottish film industry.[31]

In 2014, Berrie received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland for her contribution to film, culture and the arts.[32]

2020 has seen Berrie's Film City Futures at the centre of a new £1m talent development programme in partnership with Screen Scotland and The British Film Institute (BFI). The programme, named Short Circuit, aims to develop and provide opportunities for new and emerging writers, directors and producers from across Scotland. Short Circuit will produce up to 18 short films and develop 10 feature-length scripts over two years, from 2020-22.[33]

Filmography

Film Year Director Role
Carla's Song 1996 Ken Loach Production Assistant
California Sunshine 1997 David Mackenzie Producer, Writer
My Name is Joe 1998 Ken Loach Casting Director
Orphans 1998 Peter Mullan Production Coordinator
Ratcatcher 1999 Lynne Ramsay Casting Director
Somersault 2000 David Mackenzie Producer, Writer
The Last Great Wilderness 2002 David Mackenzie Producer, Writer
Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself 2002 Lone Scherfig Co-Producer
Song for a Raggy Boy 2003 Aisling Walsh Co-Producer
The Inheritance 2003 Per Fly Co-Producer
Young Adam 2003 David Mackenzie Associate Producer
Dogville 2003 Lars von Trier Co-Producer
Brothers 2004 Susanne Bier Co-Producer
Dear Frankie 2004 Shona Auerbach Co-Producer
Dear Wendy 2004 Thomas Vinterburg Co-Producer
Drabnet 2005 Per Fly Co-Producer
Zozo 2005 Josef Fares Co-Producer
Manderlay 2005 Lars von Trier Co-Producer
The Judge 2005 Gert Fredholm Co-Producer
1:1 2006 Annette K. Olesen Co-Producer
We Shall Overcome 2006 Niels Arden Oplev Co-Producer
When Children Play in the Sky 2006 Lorenzo Hendel Producer
Red Road 2006 Andrea Arnold Executive Producer
After the Wedding 2006 Susanne Bier Co-Producer
Dog Altogether 2007 Paddy Considine Executive Producer
Hallam Foe 2007 David Mackenzie Producer
I Love Luci 2010 Colin Kennedy Executive Producer
Donkeys 2010 Morag MacKinnon Producer
Perfect Sense 2011 David Mackenzie Producer
You Instead 2011 David Mackenzie Producer
A Royal Affair 2012 Nikolaj Arcel Co-Producer
Citadel 2012 Ciaran Foy Executive Producer
Seaview 2013 Jane Linfoot Executive Producer
Under the Skin 2013 Jonathan Glazer Co-Producer
Starred Up 2013 David Mackenzie Producer
Good Souls 2014 Elizabeth Randon Executive Producer
Dropping Off Michael 2015 Zam Salim Executive Producer
Swung 2015 Colin Kennedy Executive Producer
Misgivings 2016 Adrian Meade Executive Producer
Ending 2017 James Lees Executive Producer
Hush 2017 Olaf de Fleur Johannesson Executive Producer
Damnation 2017 David Mackenzie Executive Producer
Outlaw King 2018 David Mackenzie Producer

Awards

Academy Awards

Year Nominated Work Category Result
2007 After the Wedding Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Nominated
2013 A Royal Affair Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Nominated

BAFTA Awards

Year Nominated Work Category Result
2005 Dear Frankie Most Promising Newcomer (Shona Auerbach) Nominated
2007 Red Road Most Promising Newcomer (Andrea Arnold) Won
2008 Dog Altogether Best Short Film Won
2013 Seaview Best Short Film Nominated
2015 Under the Skin Best British Film Nominated
Best Original Music (Mica Levi) Nominated

BAFTA Scotland Awards

Year Nominated Work Category Result
1997 California Sunshine Best Short Film Nominated
2002 Outstanding Achievement Award Win
2003 Young Adam Best Film Win
Best Director (David Mackenzie) Win
Best Actor in a Scottish Film (Ewan McGregor) Win
Best Actress in a Scottish Film (Tilda Swinton) Win
2004 Dear Frankie Best Director (Shona Auerbach) Nominated
Best First Time Performance (Jack McElhone) Nominated
2006 Red Road Best Film Win
Best Director (Andrea Arnold) Win
Best Actor in a Scottish Film (Tony Curran) Win
Best Actress in a Scottish Film (Kate Dickie) Win
Best Screenplay (Andrea Arnold) Win
2007 Hallam Foe Best Film Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Best Actor (Jamie Bell) Nominated
Best Actress (Sophia Myles) Win
2011 Donkeys Best Feature Film Win
Best Director (Morag McKinnon) Nominated
Best Writer (Colin McLaren) Nominated
Best Actor/Actress - Film (James Cosmo) Win
Best Actor/Actress - Film (Brian Pettifer) Nominated
Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film Nominated
Perfect Sense Best Feature Film Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film Nominated
You Instead Audience Award - Favourite Scottish Film Nominated
I Love Luci Best Short Film Win
2012 Citadel Best Feature Film Nominated
2013 Starred Up Best Feature Film Win
Best Directing in Film or TV Win
Best Actor - Film (Jack O'Connell) Nominated
2015 Swung Best Actress - Film (Elena Anaya) Nominated
Best Actress - Film (Elizabeth McGovern) Nominated
Dropping Off Michael Best Short Film Nominated

Berlin International Film Festival

Year Nominated Work Category Result
2007 Hallam Foe Prize of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas Win
Silver Berlin Bear - Best Film Music Win
Golden Berlin Bear Nominated
2012 A Royal Affair Silver Berlin Bear - Best Actor (Mikel Boe Folsgaard) Win
Silver Berlin Bear - Best Screenplay (Nikolaj Arcel & Rasmus Heisterberg) Win
Golden Berlin Bear Nominated

British Independent Film Awards

Year Nominated Work Category Result
2003 Young Adam Best British Independent Film Nominated
Best Director (David Mackenzie) Nominated
Best Actor (Ewan McGregor) Nominated
Best Actress (Tilda Swinton) Nominated
Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself Most Promising Newcomer (Jamie Sives) Nominated
Best Screenplay (Anders Thomas Jensen & Lone Scherfig) Nominated
Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Shirley Henderson) Nominated
Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Adrian Rawlins) Nominated
2006 Red Road Best British Independent Film Nominated
Best Actor (Tony Curran) Win
Best Actress (Kate Dickie) Win
Best Supporting Actor/Actress (Martin Compston) Nominated
Douglas Hickox Award (Andrea Arnold) Nominated
2007 Hallam Foe Best British Independent Film Nominated
Best Director (David Mackenzie) Nominated
Best Screenplay (David Mackenzie & Ed Whitmore) Nominated
Best Technical Achievement (David Mackenzie & Colin Monie for Music) Nominated
Best Actor (Jamie Bell) Nominated
Best Actress (Sophia Myles) Nominated
Dog Altogether Best British Short Win
2011 You Instead Best Achievement in Production Nominated
2013 Starred Up Best British Independent Film Nominated
Best Director (David Mackenzie) Nominated
Best Screenplay (Jonathan Asser) Nominated
Best Achievement in Production Nominated
Best Technical Achievement (Shaheen Baig for Casting) Nominated
Best Actor (Jack O'Connell) Nominated
Best Supporting Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) Win
Best Supporting Actor (Rupert Friend) Nominated
Under the Skin Best Director (Jonathan Glazer) Nominated
Best Technical Achievement (Johnnie Burn for Sound Design) Nominated
Best Technical Achievement (Mica Levi for Music) Nominated
Best Actress (Scarlett Johansson) Nominated

Cannes Film Festival

Year Nominated Work Category Result
2003 Young Adam Un Certain Regard Nominated
Dogville Palme d'Or Nominated
2005 Manderlay Palme d'Or Nominated
2006 Red Road Jury Prize Win
Palme d'Or Nominated

References

  1. "Gillian Berrie". IMDb. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  2. "Inspiration - Film City Glasgow". www.filmcityglasgow.com. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  3. "JUMPCUT". 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  4. Martin-Jones, David (2010-01-01). Scotland: Global Cinema : Genres, Modes and Identities. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 9780748633920.
  5. "DEAR FRANKIE". Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  6. Martin-Jones, David (2005-09-30). Scotland: Global Cinema: Genres, Modes and Identities. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 9780748686544.
  7. Auerbach, Shona (2005-04-15), Dear Frankie, retrieved 2016-08-17
  8. Scherfig, Lone (2002-11-08), Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself, retrieved 2016-08-17
  9. Trier, Lars von (2004-04-23), Dogville, retrieved 2016-08-17
  10. Trier, Lars von (2005-06-03), Manderlay, retrieved 2016-08-17
  11. Bier, Susanne (2007-05-11), After the Wedding, retrieved 2016-08-17
  12. Yule, Eleanor; Manderson, David (2014-07-14). The Glass Half Full: Moving Beyond Scottish Miserablism. Luath Press Limited. ISBN 9781910324165.
  13. Arnold, Andrea (2006-10-27), Red Road, retrieved 2016-08-17
  14. McKinnon, Morag (2010-10-08), Donkeys, retrieved 2016-08-17
  15. Scott, A. O. (2008-09-04). "Stalking in Scotland, the Aerial Perspective". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  16. "'Hallam Foe' takes top prize at Dinard fest". Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  17. "2008 Archives - National Board of Review". National Board of Review. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  18. Mackenzie, David (2007-08-31), Hallam Foe, retrieved 2016-08-17
  19. "BBC - Perfect Sense - BBC Films". Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  20. "Interview: David Mackenzie on Perfect Sense and You Instead". 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  21. Mackenzie, David (2011-10-07), Perfect Sense, retrieved 2016-08-17
  22. "T in the Park film returns to festival for premiere". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  23. "Starred Up: How ex-prison therapist Jonathan Asser turned his". 2014-03-09. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  24. "British Academy Scotland Awards 2014 Winners Announced". www.bafta.org. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  25. BIFA. "Nominations - Awards 2013 - BIFA - The British Independent Film Awards". www.bifa.film. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  26. Starred Up, retrieved 2016-08-17
  27. "Under The Skin: the making of Scarlett Johansson's alienating new film". Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  28. "'Hell or High Water' Director Boards USA Network's 'Damnation'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  29. "USA Drama 'Damnation' Taps 'Ripper Street' Alum to Replace Aden Young". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  30. Petski, Denise (2017-05-12). "'Damnation' Period Drama Picked Up To Series By USA Network". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  31. "BAFTA Awards, Scotland (2002)". Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  32. Scotland, University of the West of. "UWS - University of the West Scotland - Scottish Filmmaker to receive UWS Honorary Doctorate". www.uws.ac.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-15.
  33. Dalton, Ben (2020-05-12). "'Screen Scotland, BFI launch £1m talent development programme'". Retrieved 2020-07-01.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.