Content closes circle on 'Ring', Coin ready for Attenborough

ContentFilm Intl. is providing the necessary financing for actor-director Richard Attenborough to begin helming the long-gestating "Closing the Ring," starring Shirley MacLaine.

In turn, ContentFilm will handle worldwide sales of the film, which also has received major financing from the Bank of Ireland. Attenborough is producing with Jo Gilbert.

"Closing the Ring," from a script by tyro scribe Peter Woodward, is a romantic drama set in Belfast and North Carolina during two time periods: 1943 and 1993.

When a U.S. B-17 crashes near Belfast, a dying gunner asks a local to return his ring to his girlfriend in America.

Half a century later, a young man finds the ring, learns its history and tracks down the girlfriend. Project was announced several years ago, but shooting was delayed because of financing gaps.

Odyssey Entertainment was originally set to handle worldwide sales but fell off the project.

ContentFilm, which is showcasing the film at the AFM, said Attenborough is set to begin lensing in March. Pic will be shot in Canada and Belfast, and will use the new Titanic Studios in Belfast, which Gilbert and his sister opened earlier this year.

"We're proud to be working with Lord Attenborough. I've grown up watching his movies and he's clearly one of the world's foremost filmmakers of our time," ContentFilm's Jamie Carmichael said.

Project unites Attenborough and MacLaine for the first time since 1962, when they starred together in "The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom."

"Closing the Ring" will mark the 12th film Attenborough has directed. His credits include "Gandhi," "Cry Freedom" and "Chaplin."

Earlier this year, ContentFilm pulled out of the film production business when one of its founders, Ed Pressman, exited the fold. Carmichael continues to head up the company's film sales division. Content recently acquired Fireworks Intl., primarily known as a TV sales operation.