‘Somerset Tourism Association’ to officially support ‘Galatia Films’ in the development and production ‘Glastonbury Isle of Light’.

3rd January 2012

John Turner the Vice chairman of the 'Somerset Tourism Association' and lead brand 'Visit Somerset' has said;

“I think that the ‘Somerset Tourism Association', with its lead brand ‘Visit Somerset’, has a duty to make sure that it is looking for the biggest opportunities to attract investment and tourism into the county. When I heard about the ‘Glastonbury Isle of light’ movie 6 months ago, it really was the right thing to get in touch with Daniel at ‘Galatia Films’ and his team to discuss".

"We are all, internationally and domestically, as businesses, whether it be in the movie or tourism and leisure industry, or any other business, in very precarious times.  I have found throughout my business career the best opportunities often arise through joint workings and development".

‘Visit Somerset’, is absolutely thrilled that ‘Galatia Films’ and Daniel McNicoll the Producer and writer, have opened their doors to ‘Visit Somerset’. We are now touching base daily by email and conference calling once a month.  Daniel is involving ‘Visit Somerset’, to help market and develop communication channels, in bringing the reality of this movie to the county of Somerset and the South West and beyond.

Daniel McNicoll writer and producer said; "Galatia Films and the rest of the award winning producing team are ecstatic to be working alongside ‘Visit Somerset's John Turner and the ‘Visit Somerset’ team and ‘Glastonbury Abbey’, in order to bring the epic production to Britain."  

John Turner went on to say; " This will be a movie that will touch many regional parts of the UK, including Somerset. The great thing though, (above everything else) will be, that it is, a story of Somerset origin, and in particular Glastonbury.

Being in charge of international strategy, ‘Visit  Somerset’ has a huge international journalist contact base, and we are in touch with ‘Visit Britain’, Visit England  and ‘UK Inbound’ regularly,  which together with this story and the Olympics, will begin to make, VERY, good reading and is just a really exciting development!  Once the film is made it will help support awareness of our amazing county and will hopefully stimulate much interest for years to come.  Katherine Gorbing the director of ‘Glastonbury Abbey’ has agreed to support the UK/Somerset team and will be giving her take on things shortly”.

The film will bring  together the legend of Joseph, the great uncle of Jesus, who is said to have brought the Holy Grail to Glastonbury, with the true story of Caractacus, son of the king of the British Catavallauni tribe. When Rome invaded Britain Caractacus fought a long guerilla war. He even had to battle the treacherous propaganda of his own brother who accepted the Roman yoke.

Joseph, fleeing a hostile Jerusalem for Britain, finds an even more extreme enemy in the Romans and implores Caractacus for help in defending the sacred customs of the Britons he has come to love.

Whatever the truth of the legends, Glastonbury claims to be the cradle of Christianity in Britain and is a center of pilgrimage for Christians and for people with many other spiritual beliefs.

John further said that; “There will be many exciting stories to develop over the coming months, with the pre-production and location scouting starting in four months’ time.

‘A’ list actors and ‘new blood’ will be recruited.

‘Visit Somerset’ is already now involved in the joint development of a ‘Visit Somerset’ blog and other website development. A joint media kit recording of the whole team  and brand links launch will be completed shortly informing the media of the mutual  relationship and how the film will be brought to our screens in the coming year.”

An extensive update will be given at the STA international conference in the Spring.

The US Team includes;

Five times Oscar-winning special effects supervisor Richard Taylor, co-founder of Weta Workshop, which did stunning work for ‘The Lord of the Rings’’ trilogy will be involved throughout. He described the project as: “a wonderful package”.

Hollywood Producer Ned Dowd, whose past credits include ‘Last of the Mohicans’ is also involved.

Writer-producer Daniel McNicol has experience in translating epic tales to the screen; his first film, ‘Reclaiming the Blade’ starred Viggo Mortensen, who became a world-wide star following his performances in ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

Writer-director David Mickey Evans wrote and co-directed the classic film ‘Radio Flier’, starring Elijah Wood, for Columbia Pictures.

John Howe, lead artist on ‘The Lord of the Rings’, will handle conceptual design. He said: “I really liked the script, and I’m eager to start.  I think it has the bones of a great production.”