RT Burns Club

http://www.robertburnsmovie.com/press.htm

NEWS RELEASE 25th January 2009

Burns film launches a unique opportunity for

THE Immortal Memory

Itwas announced today (January 25th 2009), on the 250th anniversary ofScotland's National poet Robert Burns' birthday, that a uniqueopportunity is being launched to invest in the much anticipated featurefilm of the Bard's life.

It was in 1786 witha system of subscriptions that the now famous Kilmarnock Edition wasfirst printed and first popularised Burn's distinguished works. Now, inkeeping with that historical act, the film producers are to release 250subscriptions for people or companies to be involved in what will be ahistoric and star studded film for Scotland.

Starring Gerard Butler (300, The Phantom of the Opera, Nimh's Island, Rocknrolla, Dear Frankie) and written by Alan Sharp (Rob Roy) the film is set to shoot in Burn's native Ayrshire and Edinburgh in 2009.

Launching this campaign, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond ishosting a presentation dinner at Edinburgh Castle in April to help putin place these fortunate 250 individuals, groups or corporate sponsors.With the major part of the funding already in place from traditionalfilm industry sources, the producers are set to replicate the mood ofBurns' own Kilmarnock Edition subscribers.

The Producers are also currently in discussion with Scottish Screen,the country's screen development agency. The Film is being produced by The Mob Film Company and co produced by Evil Twins – the American film production company owned by Gerard Butler and Alan Siegel.

First Minister, Alex Salmond said:

“RobertBurns is rightly regarded as Scotland's favourite son. He is aninternational cultural icon and his life and work is celebrated acrossthe globe. It would be great for Scotland if Burns could be recognisedand immortalised in modern film, particularly as we mark the 250thanniversary of his birth this year and celebrate his genius throughScotland's Year of Homecoming.

“I am delighted this film is set to be shot in Scotland with another great Scot, Gerard Butler, starring as Burns.”

Director, Vadim Jean said:

“Therewould be something so very poetic about subscriptions making possiblethe first feature film about Robert Burns since the 1930's. It willpresent Burns to the world in the most powerful medium of all –something that feels so much more significant in the 250th anniversaryof his birth.”