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05:44 GMT, Friday, 20 June 2008 06:44 UK

£700,000 stake hope in Dylan film

As the red carpet is rolled out for the Welsh premiere of the new Dylan Thomas biopic, the assembly government has revealed it has a stake in the film.

The body will have its own windfall if The Edge of Love becomes a blockbuster, after investing £700,000 in the movie.

The money came from its Wales Creative IP Fund, set up to help boost the Welsh media industry.

The £8.5m film, which opens across the UK next week, stars Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Matthew Rhys.

As a partner, along with the BBC, the assembly government can expect a slice of profits from ticket and DVD sales.

Officials said the deal also ensured the production earned the economy of west Wales more than £1m when the film's stars spent three weeks last summer on location in New Quay, Ceredigion.

The fund has invested £6m in 17 productions since May 2005, but this is the largest sum to date and "builds upon Wales' growing reputation for the creative industries," according to Economy Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones.

He added: "We will continue to promote Wales as an ideal location to produce, develop and film world class productions."

FILMS BACKED


The fund has also been used to support a forthcoming video game for the Microsoft Xbox 360 console.

But all the attention will be on the red carpet on Friday as The Edge of Love has its first screening in Wales for a specially-invited audience at the Vue Cinema in Swansea.

Welsh Hollywood-based actor Matthew Rhys, who plays the poet in the film, will be the top attraction.

He stars alongside Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller, as the movie tells the story of Caitlin Thomas and Vera Killick, and their relationship with the poet.

Rhys will also be officially launching an exhibition dedicated to The Edge of Love at the city's Dylan Thomas Centre, featuring costumes, storyboards, graphics and props from the film.

Graham Thomas, Swansea council's cabinet member for culture, added: "We're delighted to be able to welcome Matthew Rhys to Swansea for the Welsh premiere of this much-anticipated movie about one of the city's most famous sons.

"It's also terrific that people will be able to exclusively see memorabilia from a major movie right her on their own doorstep."

The Edge of Love will have its UK-wide cinema release on 27 June.




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Related to this story:
Keira keeps Edinburgh film date (18 Jun 08 |  Scotland )
Rhys to capture Thomas' essence (15 May 07 |  Mid Wales )
Knightley on The Edge of Love (17 Jun 08 |  Entertainment )
Dylan film 'brings poet to life' (15 Jun 08 |  Mid Wales )
Love, cinema, Dylan and stardom (01 Jun 08 |  Mid Wales )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The Edge of Love
Creative IP Fund
Welsh Assembly Government
Finance Wales
BBC Films
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