EXCLUSIVE: International sales firm MSR Media is launching four film titles at this week’s Mip market: action film The IslandThe mystery thriller Ocean Deep, the sci fi/action feature Black Noise and the mystery drama Absolute Confidential.
MSR manages worldwide rights for all four titles. This includes Michael Jai White (!The Dark Knight), Jackson Rathbone (The Twilight Saga), Connie Nelsen (Justice League), Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike). The Isl and Black Noise are the latest films to shoot under the multi-film deal struck last year between the firm and the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.
The Island
Currently in post-production The Island stars Michael Jai White (Warner Bros.’ The Dark KnightJackson Rathbone (The Twilight SagaGillian White (Bamboozled) and Edoardo Costa (Live Free and Die Hard). Shaun Paul Piccinino (American Fighter) directs the action-crime-thriller which is based on an original story by Philippe Martinez, scripted by Martinez and Michael Caissie (The Hangman starring Al Pacino) and produced by Martinez and Highfield Grange Studios’ Alan Latham.
The story follows Jai White, an LAPD officer who fights drug traffickers together with Phil (Rathbone), until his brother is mysteriously killed. He returns to his island home to seek out answers and vengeance against the corrupt tycoon that has overthrown the island paradise.
Karinne Beasley and Lee Beasley, from MSR Media, and Alastair Burlingham of Sherborne Media along with Charlie Dombeck und Jacob Katsman are the executive producers. Sherborne Media provides financing for production.
Ocean Deep
Also in post-production is writer-director Liza Bolton’s (York Witches Society) mystery thriller Ocean Deep, starring Connie Nielsen (Justice League), Anna Walton (Hellboy II), Lochlann O’Mearáin (Outlander) and Mads S. Pettersen (Home for Christmas).
Pic is the story of artist Mara (Connie Nielsen) who is isolated in her remote coastal home three months after her husband Rory (Lachlann O’Mearáin) disappears, distraught at the news that the search for his body has been called off. Mara, haunted and plagued by strange visions and his memories, sets out to discover what happened to her beloved. She doesn’t realize she is in danger.
Philippe Martinez, MSR Media’s producer, and Alan Latham, Highfield Grange Studios’ producer, are the producers. Karinne Beehr and Lee Beasley, both from MSR Media, and Kirsty Bel of Goldfinch, are executive producers.
Black Noise
The sci-fi action film “St. Kitts and Nevis” is currently in production. Black Noise starring Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike), Jackson Rathbone (The Twilight Saga), Eve Mauro (Cypher), Wayne Gordon (We or them), and Sadie Newman (Holmes & Watson).
Jackson Rathbone and Alex Pettyfer portray elite security personnel who are sent to rescue a VIP from an exclusive island. When the team arrives, the island seems deserted. Then they encounter masked gunmen who make a constant droning noise. The pervasive sound and deadly side effects of the penetrating sound intensify, and the rescue mission becomes a desperate effort to survive and escape from the island.
Philippe Martinez, Leigh Scott and Sean-Michael Argo co-direct from a script which they co-wrote. Martinez produced the film. Karinne Behr, Leigh Scott, Alastair Burlingham and Gary Raskin from Sherborne Media along with Charlie Dombeck, executive produced it.
Absolute Confidential
Damian Hurley’s directorial debut in the thriller Absolute Confidential which is due to begin filming in late November. Philippe Martinez Damian Hurley’s mother Elizabeth Hurley share producing credits for the feature which is written by Damian.
The thriller follows the story of a group of friends in their mid-twenties who are invited to the Caribbean mansion of their friend Rebecca’s mother to celebrate her life, one year after her apparent suicide. But Rebecca’s suicide soon comes into question as each of the group begins to divulge what they are hiding and, in the process, bringing to light a web of intrigue that threatens to reveal the truth.
The Island and Black Noise are the seventh and eighth films to be shot in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. MSR just finished production on the action-thriller We or them starring Malin Åkerman, Jack Donnelly, Wayne Gordon, Nicole Bartlett, Celine Arden and Sam Cassidy; the romantic comedy Christmas in the Caribbean starring Elizabeth Hurley, Caroline Quentin, Nathalie Cox, Edoardo Costa, Hadar Cats, Downtown Julie Brown and Rafael Emmanuel Martinez; the romantic comedy One Week in Paradise starring Malin Åkerman, Connie Nielsen, Philip Winchester and Jack Donnelly; the suspense thriller AssailantDirected by Tom Paton and featuring Poppy, Chad Michael Collins and Casper Van Dien; also, their comedy feature film Enjoy a One-year Discount.
Martinez commented: “I’m very pleased with these latest new titles on the MSR Media production slate. We are working with skilled creatives in all departments and showcasing a diversity of actors across multiple genres. Our new productions utilize the beauty of the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis to enhance their stories and all four films exemplify the company’s objective to match film talent with exciting storylines that will appeal to global audiences.”
