Paris Connections

The Guardian - August 7, 2010 - by Patrick Barkham

The UK's biggest food retailer is about to take on Hollywood in the movie-making business. Patrick Barkham goes on the Paris set of Tesco's first film, with Charles Dance and Trudie Styler.

A glittering adaptation of a Jackie Collins novel. An award-winning cast. Thirteen gazelle-like models in a top Paris hotel. Viewed from one angle, Paris Connections could be the big-budget production to put the glamour back into British film-making. In a less flattering light – say, the strip lights of a supermarket – the end result could look very different.

Because this is not just any movie. This is a Tesco movie. The supermarket giant that inhabits virtually every corner of our existence has this year moved into film-making with a straight-to-DVD movie or, as its makers prefer, a "DVD Premiere". This autumn, Paris Connections will go on sale exclusively in Tesco stores. If successful, it could revolutionise the movie business, removing distributors and agents in one swipe and transforming how many films are made and funded.

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Trudie Styler, Charles Dance and Nicole Steinwedell, star in Jackie Collins thriller

Charles Dance (The Jewel in the Crown, Gosford Park) and Trudie Styler (Me Without You, Living Proof) started filming on Paris Connections today; the glamourous, sexy and stylish thriller adapted from the novel LA Connections by best-selling author Jackie Collins.

Set against the stunning backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Paris Connections also stars American actress, Nicole Steinwedell (The Unit, A Single Man) as one of Jackie Collins’ most exciting heroines; beautiful and sassy investigative journalist, Madison Castelli.

When a beautiful young model featured in her last expose is brutally murdered at the beginning of Paris fashion week, Madison follows her story to the City of Light, determined to discover the truth. Unbeknownst to her, the sexy famed photographer Jake Sica (Anthony Delon, Frenchman’s Creek) has been assigned to the story. Fellow reporter and close friend Natalie (Caroline Chikezie, Footballers Wives) has surreptitiously engineered a working reunion, well aware he’s an old flame of Madison’s who is keen to reignite their passionate romance.

Russian oligarch Aleksandr Borinski (Dance) is a leading fashion businessman and a major new player in the world of haute couture. He and his devoted assistant, Olivia (Styler) are top of Madison’s list of interviewees. How can Aleksandr protect his models against this homicidal maniac and how will it affect the imminent launch of his new line designed by International TV superstar, Coco de Ville (Hudson Leik, Xena: Warrior Princess)?

As Aleksandr’s working relationship with Coco spills over into a more romantic connection, Aleksandr’s handsome but spoilt son, Sergei (played by newcomer, Fabien de Chalvon), is far from happy at the prospect of a rival for his father’s affections, and his fortune.

As the bodies pile up, Madison finds herself embroiled in the case. Caught in the mêlée between police investigations and multi-million dollar fashion houses she must find the truth behind the killings to get her story… and save her own life.

Producers are also currently in negotiations with multi award winning actress and OSCAR nominee, Anouk Aimee (Un Homme et Une Femme), to play a special role in the film.

“I’m delighted with this fantastic cast that will bring my characters to life,” said Jackie Collins. “Nicole Steinwedell is my perfect Madison; smart and beautiful, Nicole is a fine actress – proven on her stint as a regular on The Unit. Anthony Delon is full of charm and French charisma and he and Nicole will make magic together. Charles Dance as my powerful Russian will bring such a strength to the role. A terrific actor with a great screen presence as is Trudie Styler who has class, style and acting chops.”

Directed by award-winning British director Harley Cokeliss (An Angel for May), the Paris Connections screenplay is adapted by Michael Tupy from the novel LA Connections by Jackie Collins, and is produced by Collins, Ileen Maisel and Lawrence Elman. The executive producers are Mark Ordesky, Simon Bosanquet and Shezi Nackvi.

Paris Connections is the first in a series of films which are being produced by Amber Entertainment as part of a joint venture with Tesco. This is a ground-breaking partnership to create exclusive DVD Premiere feature films based on works from the world's most loved, best-selling authors.

In addition to Paris Connections, three more films from the "Connections" series are planned, to be produced with Jackie Collins. Amber Entertainment is also negotiating for the works of many other blockbuster authors for Tesco releases this year and next, including Philip Pullman, Judy Blume, Dick and Felix Francis, Karin Slaughter and Anne Perry.

The films will be initially available exclusively as DVDs through Tesco stores, online, and through Tesco Direct. Paris Connections will be available in Tesco stores.

Chain will base movies on books by authors including Jackie Collins, Philip Pullman and Dick Francis

The Observer - January 24, 2010 - by Vanessa Thorpe

There is an unlikely new player in the British film industry with ambitions to change the world of entertainment. Tesco, the supermarket giant, has moved into movie mogul territory this weekend with the launch of a multi-million-pound production arm poised to make films of books by a slew of bestselling authors.

The first release from the Tesco studio will be Paris Connections, a tweaked Jackie Collins tale being shot on location in Paris early next month. Set in the glamorous world of fashion shows and rival couturiers, it tells of investigative journalist Madison Castelli's efforts to uncover the truth behind a series of murders of Size Zero models.

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