The makers of a boxing film written by and starring The Fall’s Bronagh Taggart are asking the people of Northern Ireland to help raise the funds needed to go into production, and are offering some novel rewards for those who do…
Guard – slated to start filming early in the new year – launches today on crowdfunding site Indiegogo, with ‘perks’ for those who donate ranging from a mention in the credits and tickets to the screening, to signed scripts and being able to introduce yourself as an ‘Executive Producer’.
And that would be no small boast; the film already has an award-winning team on board to help make it happen. BAFTA winner Michael Lennox, who was nominated for an Oscar for his short film Boogaloo and Graham in 2015, has signed up to shoot it, while multiple Emmy-award winner Robert Sterne – credited with finding lead actors for hits such as Game of Thrones and Wolf Hall – is casting. Add to that music from former The Voice contestant Leah McFall, and you can start to see the attraction of having your name on the same list.
So why crowdfunding? The film will be directed by Taggart’s husband, Belfast actor Jonathan Harden, who is currently filming Stephen Frears’ Victoria & Abdul, opposite Judi Dench. Although, his acting CV boasts credits with Ralph Fiennes, David Oyelowo, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Derek Jacobi, directing Guard will be his first time behind the camera. For that reason, and because Bronagh Taggart’s script didn’t need any further development, they’re not currently eligible for funding from the Northern Irish film funding agency, NI Screen.
For first-timers like Harden, online crowdfunding is a growing necessity. Since launching in 2008, Indiegogo (followed in 2009 by Kickstarter) has changed the way grassroots filmmakers get their films off the ground. On the decision to fundraise online, Harden commented:
“We’re not in a position to fund it ourselves and neither Bronagh nor I have any wealthy friends or relatives. What we do have is a great script and a great team, who are all working for free because they believe in the quality and value of the project. We’re hoping people see how exciting this is and help us make it happen”
The team are also pledging 5% of the total amount raised to Womens Aid NI - the lead voluntary organisation in Northern Ireland addressing domestic and sexual violence and providing services for women and children.
The campaign to find the money to make Guard is now live on Indiegogo. For more info, or to back the film, visit www.belfastboxingfilm.com
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