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Press contact: Jackie Mitchell 01372 465041; e-mail jackie@jackiem.com
BRITISH FILM NOIR “ROOM 36” – BRITAIN’S ANSWER TO SIN CITY FROM IVORY TOWER ENTERTAINMENT AVAILABLE ON DVD FROM
25th JANUARY 2010
REVIEW COPIES AND HIGH RES IMAGES AVAILABLE
The highly acclaimed British film noir “Room 36 – Britain’s answer to Sin City” from Ivory Tower Entertainment will be released on DVD on 25th of January 2010.
The film, “Britain’s answer to Sin City”, a quirky, black comedy noir thriller, is known as ‘the film that refused to die’ as it took 11 years to complete from the first filming to its premiere last year in London’s West End.
Room 36 is a suspenseful, gripping black comedy. It creates a startling and unexpected twilight world in the seedy Midlothian Hotel. It was filmed entirely in and around London in 35mm black and white (with spot colour) to heighten the drama. Running time is 88 minutes. It has a RRP of £11.99 and is available from HMV, AMAZON, PLAY.com and all good DVD stockists.
It stars veteran actor BRIAN MURPHY (from TV’s “Last of the Summer Wine”, “George and Mildred” and Ken Russell’s “The Devils and “The Boyfriend”) as owner of the seedy Midlothian Hotel; PAUL HERZBERG as a professional hitman with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - TV work includes “The Life & Loves Of A She-Devil”, “The Knock”, “Poirot” and his film work includes “Cry Freedom”, “The Dirty Dozen Next Mission”); FRANK SCANTORI (from TV’s “Eastenders”) as a lecherous travelling salesman, PORTIA BOOROFF as a traitorous MP and the late NORMAN MITCHELL (“Dad’s Army”, “Crossroads” and films “Oliver” and “The Adventures of Barry Lyndon”) as the prime minister – the film is in his memory.
After “REVENGE OF BILLY THE KID”, their first feature film, JIM GROOM, director, TIM DENNISON, producer and DAVID READ, director of photography, started making ROOM 36, expecting to finish in 18 months – but it took 11 years!
Why the delay? There was a combination of problems such as the film laboratory burnt down, funds dried up, the specialist black and white film on which it was shot was discontinued and Norman Mitchell, one of the actors, died half way through production.
Jim Groom, director, says “There were times when we wanted to give up, but we were determined to see it through. We’re just glad it is out there.”
About Jim Groom
After an early career as a film editor and having run his own production and post production company, Jim joined forces with producer Tim Dennison in 1992 to raise the finance for their first feature film “Revenge of Billy The Kid”. They went on to line produce “Beyond Bedlam” the horror thriller starring Elizabeth Hurley. Having completed Room 36, Jim is directing his third feature film “Zombie God Squad”, a comedy-horror which begins filming next year.
Room 36 – Synopsis
Two men wait in a seedy London hotel – in room 36, Mr Armstrong, a travelling lingerie salesman, who prepares for the arrival of a prostitute. In room 38, Mr. Connor, a professional hit man, waits for Miss Woods, a traitorous MP delivering classified information. Unbeknown to Woods, her defection has been discovered – Connor’s objective is to retrieve the microfilm and kill her.
Opposite Connor’s room, an arguing couple’s fight results in his door number being damaged – it now also reads 36. The prostitute arrives, inadvertently entering Connor’s room. He presumes her to be Woods. When she becomes too friendly, the mistake is exposed – Connor shoots her and bundles the body under the bed.
Woods arrives, but before Connor can obtain the microfilm, the prostitute’s body is revealed. Woods seeks refuge in Armstrong’s room. Mistaking her for the prostitute, Armstrong forces himself upon her – resulting in his violent death.
With Woods discovering she’s lost the microfilm and Connor determined to find and kill her, a deadly battle of wits ensues.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ROOM 36
“Eventful little British thriller” - Variety
“Bizarre British horror farce” - The Guardian
“Worthy of Hitchcock himself” - Empire magazine
“Gutsy and startlingly original” - Daily Sport