Synopsis
November 23 2003: Nine weeks of principal photography commenced on location in Luxembourg and Venice, Italy on director Michael Radford’s THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, which he adapted and scripted from William Shakespeare’s classic play.
Set in 16th century Venice, Shakespeare’s timeless comedy/drama follows the fates and fortunes of a group of Christian noblemen and their interactions with the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Antonio (Irons) borrows money from Shylock (Pacino) to help his young penniless friend Bassanio (Fiennes) in his quest to win the hand of the fair Portia (Collins). Bitter at Antonio’s insults, Shylock stipulates very specific terms if he defaults on the loan. As Antonio’s shipping business is devastated by storms, Shylock is further angered by his daughter’s elopement with the nobleman Lorenzo (Cox). The loan falls due and Shylock claims his forfeit in the form of a pound of Antonio’s flesh. As Bassanio desperately tries to save Antonio from this fate, miraculous help comes from an unexpected quarter.
Written and directed by Academy Award nominee and BAFTA winner Michael Radford (IL POSTINO), THE MERCHANT OF VENICEattracted a high caliber cast headed by Academy Award winning actor Al Pacino in the role of Shylock. Considered one of the industry’s most prestigious acting talents, Pacino has garnered countless awards for films as mesmerizing and diverse as the GODFATHER Trilogy, SCARFACE, SCENT OF A WOMAN, INSOMNIA and HEAT.
He was joined in the cast by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons (REVERSAL OF FORTUNE, BEING JULIA) as Antonio and Joseph Fiennes (ENEMY AT THE GATE, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE) as the lovestruck Bassanio. Starring alongside them are newcomers Lynn Collins (DOWN WITH LOVE, 50 FIRST DATES) as Portia, Kris Marshall (LOVE ACTUALLY, THE FOUR FEATHERS) as Gratiano, Heather Goldenhersh (SCHOOL OF ROCK, NICHOLAS NICKLEBY) as Nerissa and Charlie Cox (YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME) as Lorenzo. John Sessions (GANGS OF NEW YORK, HIGH HEELS, LOW LIFES), Mackenzie Crook (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, THE BROTHERS GRIMM) and Zuleikha Robinson (HIDALGO) complete the cast.
The film has also attracted top creative technical talent including Cesar winning cinematographer Benoit Delhomme (SCENT OF GREEN PAPAYA, WINSLOW BOY), Academy Award nominated production designer Bruno Rubeo (GLADIATOR, DRIVING MISS DAISY), Academy Award and BAFTA nominated make-up and hair designer Ann Buchanan (SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE), costume designer Sammy Sheldon (CALCIUM KID, HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY) and editor Lucia Zucchetti (MOVERN CALLER, INTERMISSION).
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is produced by Avenue Pictures, Spice Factory and Navidi Wilde Productions in association with the UK Film Council, Studios Delux and Immagine E Cinema. The film is produced by Cary Brokaw for Avenue Pictures, Barry Navidi for Navidi Wilde Productions and Spice Factory’s Michael Lionello Cowan and Jason Piette. The film is a Movision presentation. Executive producers are Manfred Wilde, Michael Hammer, Peter James and James impson. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is co-produced by Nigel Goldsack, Jimmy de Brabant for Delux and Edwige Fenech for Immagine E Cinema.
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