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"Mrs. Palfrey at The Claremont" - Crew Bios
- click here for the full crew list -

-download a printable PDF file of Dan's Bio here-

Dan Ireland

Dan Ireland began his career as the co-founder / co-director of The Seattle International Film Festival. Among his many accomplishments, he launched the American Premieres and releases of such notable films as SOLDIER OF ORANGE, THE ROAD WARRIOR, ALIEN, THE STUNT MAN, CHOOSE ME, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, MONA LISA, DANCE WITH A STRANGER, ANOTHER COUNTRY, CHOOSE ME, and BLOOD SIMPLE, among many others. In the 1980's, Ireland (along with Darryl Macdonald) was the co-owner / co-operator of The Egyptian Theatre, the most successful independent theatre in the state of Washington. Ireland remained at the theatre and festival until 1986, where he was Executive Vice President of Acquisitions for Vestron Pictures. It was at Vestron that Ireland developed his filmmaking skills. During his time there, he was Executive Producer of fifteen films including John Huston's final film THE DEAD (two Oscar nominations), Bernard Rose's (CANDYMAN, IMMORTAL BELOVED, ivansxtc.) feature debut PAPERHOUSE and Ken Russell's THE RAINBOW.

In 1993, Ireland joined Cineville, one of the leading independent film production companies which produced such films as DELUSION, GAS FOOD LODGING and MI VIDA LOCA.

In 1996 Ireland made his debut as a feature director for Cineville with the highly acclaimed film, THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, starring Vincent D'Onofrio and Renee Zellweger also produced by Ireland and D'Onofrio.

It was this performance that introduced Zellweger to producer James L. Brooks and director Cameron Crowe for her follow up film, JERRY MAGUIRE, and launched her into international stardom. THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD was on over 50 top ten critics year end lists and won Zellweger the coveted National Society of Film Critics award for most promising newcomer of the year. D'Onofrio was named runner up as Best Actor by the same organization for his performance. Ireland re-teamed with D'Onofrio for 1998's controversial THE VELOCITY OF GARY, based on the one man show by James Still, the film also starred Salma Hayak and introduced Thomas Jane (THE PUNISHER).

After watching THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, producer David Bakalar and screenwriters Jim and Steve Jermanok approached Ireland to direct their romantic comedy, PASSIONADA, released to wide critical acclaim last August by The Samuel Goldwyn Company and internationally by Columbia-TriStar Pictures.

It was her performance in this film that brought Emmy Rossum to the attention of director Joel Schumacher for the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Weber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Rossum joins the list of young talent discovered by Ireland, including Renee Zellweger, Thomas Jane and Salma Hayek.

Ireland's latest project, MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT, based on the celebrated novel by the late English novelist, Elizabeth Taylor (no relation to the actress), stars the legendary Dame Joan Plowright (Lady Olivier, and star of Enchanted April) in her largest screen role to date.

Mrs. Palfrey is the humorous, bittersweet story of a recently widowed elderly woman who moves to London, and her unexpected friendship with a young writer who is at the turning point in his life. It is the story of two people, who, even though fifty years apart, become the best of friends.

Ireland was quoted, "This is the best project to come my way since `The Whole Wide World'. It is an elegant, humorous and emotional tale of two lost souls who suddenly 'find' each other. Its beauty is that it is a simple story that quietly reaches inside and embraces your heart, and touches you deep down in your soul.

Finding a young actor that could match the amazing Joan Plowright was perhaps the most challenging aspect of casting that I've ever been faced with."

And speaking of discoveries, the young writer in the film is portrayed by Britain's most stunning new actor, Rupert Friend. Mr. Friend stars opposite Johnny Depp in Miramax's upcoming release, "The Libertine", and opposite Keira Knightly in Working Title's remake of Jane Austin's "Pride and Prejudice". Mr. Friend has also just completed THE DECAMERON, for legendary producer Dino de Laurentis, starring opposite Hayden Christensen.

This will be the third collaboration between Dan Ireland and composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek 1 & 2, Bridget Jones, Kingdom of Heaven). "If music is the soul of your film, then I feel most comfortable in the knowledge that the ever brilliant Harry will be there by my side, again."

Mr. Gregson-Williams produced the score, and his long time collaborator, Stephen Barton, debuts as composer and conducter.

Read Dan Ireland's Director's Statement Here

Director Dan Ireland outside the Hotel

-download a printable PDF file of the Crew Bios here-

Lee Caplin

Lee Caplin is Founder and Chairman of Picture Entertainment Corporation, a motion picture, television and theatrical production company that Executive Produced the Sony-Columbia Pictures $115 million feature film “Ali,” starring Will Smith.

Executive Producer of the Literary Estate of Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner, Mr. Caplin is a leader in the multimedia and telecommunications industry for over 20 years. He is also a Founder and Director of Velocity Services, Inc., a marketing company for custom ISP services for such affinity clients as AFL-CIO, American Racing, NBA, NHL and NeoPets.

An attorney, entrepreneur, and educator, Mr. Caplin has published over 200 titles of illustrated educational and children's and books; his own book "The Business of Art," is an international Best Seller, and has become a bible in the field.

He was also honored as a Founding Faculty member of California State University’s high tech campus in Monterey in the establishment of its program in telecommunications, and participates on the International Advisory Board of the Monterey Institute for International Studies’ Center for Non-Proliferation.

Mr. Caplin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Duke University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia Law School, where he was an editor of the Law Review.

Carl Colpaert

Belgian born Carl Colpaert is veteran producer and director, who has participated in the creation and distribution of over thirty-five feature films. A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and the American Film Institute, Mr. Colpaert began his career working with Robert Rehme, Co-Founder of New World Pictures, and the famed director Roger Corman.

He founded Cineville, LLC in 1990 with European industrialist Christoph Henkel, and went on to produce films that have won numerous awards at international competitions and received great critical acclaim. In 2003 Mr. Colpaert formed a strategic alliance with Lee Caplin and Picture Entertainment. As a team, they have financed several motion pictures, as well as developed a slate of intellectual properties that form the basis of United Players International.

Zachary Matz

Zachary Matz is an award winning producer with over twenty feature film and television credits compiled over the past fifteen years. Recently released feature titles include the internationally lauded South African historical epic "Drum," directed by Zola Maseko, and starring Taye Diggs, the film received its world premiere in Cannes 2005; and the acclaimed stylistic sci-fi horror "One Point O" directed by Jeff Renfroe, and starring Jeremy Sisto & Deborah Unger, the film premiered in Sundance 2004.

New York City native, son of a Broadway composer and a Vegas chorus girl, Matz moved to Beverly Hills as a teenager, whereupon he got hooked on producing while employed as a summer intern on the popular '70s variety show, "The Carol Burnett Show." Seven years later, after graduating B.A. Communication & Music from U.C., San Diego, Matz got his first real gig as Producer's Assistant for then-fledgling MTV’s huge breakout comedy /music series "Laugh Trax."

A period of several years practical apprenticeship in the film business then followed at Showcan Corporation, under the tutelage of some of Hollywood’s most accomplished producers, crafts, technical and artistic personnel. This experience gave Matz the tools and focus to embark on producing theatrical quality independent films, commencing in 1991. Along the way, Matz also was an executive at New World Pictures, and was the owner of a high-end production services company retained by such noted corporate clients as New Line Cinema, Iwerks, Intel, Disney & Universal Studios.

Matz resides in Santa Monica, and carries dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Ireland, for which he is ready to leave at the first sign of real trouble.


Complete Crew List

Directed by Dan Ireland

Produced by Lee Caplin, Zachary Matz, Carl Colpaert

Screenplay by Ruth Sacks

From the Novel by Elizabeth Taylor

Executive Producer Gustavus Printz

Director of Photography Claudio Rocha

Music by Stephen Barton

Music Produced by Harry Gregson-Williams

Edited by Nigel Galt, Virginia Katz

Production Designer Julian Nagel

Costume Designer Maja Meschede

Casting by Carl Proctor

Co-Executive Producers Martin Donovan, Harry Gregson-Williams

Co-Producer Matthew Devlen

Associate Producer Rodney Smith

Additional Dialogue Martin Donovan & Dan Ireland

Running Time 108 minutes

In loving memory of Robert Lang

 
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