'The Real Thing' begins Limerick shoot

Wide Eye Films, in association with Peter Stockhaus Filmproduktion, Grosvenor Park Productions and Octagon Films, have announced the start of principal photography on the €1.5m feature production; the 'The Real Thing', which began shooting in Limerick on November 4 for six weeks.
The film is the feature debut of Limerick born writer/director David Gleeson, who financed his early short films by working on an oilrig in the Arctic Circle. An Irish/German/UK co-production, The Real Thing will be the first feature film ever to shoot entirely in the city of Limerick. The story concerns a hapless civil servant who gets more than he bargained for when he moves into an apartment with a gay fashion student and finds himself on the catwalk. The film sets out to explore the difficulties for young people in keeping their identities in a fast moving culture of drugs and clubs. James Flynn is attached as an Executive Producer for Octagon Films. Michael Legge, who played the lead in 'Angela's Ashes', will play the lead role of Shane Butler.
Nathalie Lichtenthaeler, the German-born producer of The Real Thing, is glad to be shooting in Limerick: "We have been here for 5 weeks now and the response from local business, the Gardai, the Corporation, everyone, has truly been overwhelming."
(GB)