BBC Films Makes Two Its Home

A special weekend - starting on Saturday 17 July - will see BBC Two broadcast the UK TV premieres of The Damned United, Eastern Promises and Is Anybody There?
This marks the official launch of BBC Two as the new principal home for BBC Films, the award-winning feature filmmaking arm of the BBC.
The Damned United tells the story of Brian Clough's legendary stint as manager of Leeds United, starring Michael Sheen as the eponymous Clough, Timothy Spall as Peter Taylor, and Colm Meaney as arch-rival, Don Revie.
Is Anybody There? is Michael Caine's moving portrayal of retired magician Clarence in a bitter-sweet tale of an unusual friendship.
Finally David Cronenburg's highly acclaimed thriller Eastern Promises is a tale from the dark underworld of London's Russian mafia, starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts.
Also accompanying The Damned United is the frank documentary Brian Clough: From Front to Back.
This Autumn, as part of an education moment on BBC Two, BBC Films will showcase Notes On A Scandal starring Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, and Alan Bennett's critically acclaimed The History Boys.
Earlier this year, as part of the BBC's Strategy Review, it was announced that BBC Two would become the principal home for BBC Films.
This is part of a drive to bring more quality drama to the channel, with the BBC Strategy Review proposing a £25m investment in BBC Two from 2012 to boost the channel's distinctiveness.
Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two, said: "BBC Two is committed to showing more quality fiction on the channel, and we're delighted that BBC Films will be part of this. It's wonderful that licence fee payers will be able to see these films for free following their theatrical releases."
Christine Langan, Creative Director, BBC Films, said: "Establishing a permanent home for BBC Films on BBC Two will enable us to create exciting film moments for our audiences throughout the year, reinforcing our commitment to bring original and distinctive British films to the British public."
BBC Films produces around eight films a year working in partnership with major international and UK distributors.
(BMcC/GK)