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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