In the mid-1980s, when I co-produced My Beautiful Laundrette and Eric produced Sid and Nancy, I doubt if either of us thought we would still be around in the film business in a year's time, let alone twenty. In an attempt to mark this time and as a tribute to all those who have built Working Title we decided to publish this book of images and anecdotes from two decades of our movies.
For nearly twenty years, Working Title Films has masterminded some of the most memorable films of recent times. Whether launching new stars or attracting A-list Hollywood talent, the company has produced a huge number of commercial and critical successes, including the ground-breaking My Beautiful Laundrette, the phenomenally successful Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones"s Diary and Billy Elliot as well as the Oscar winning films Dead Man Walking, Fargo and Elizabeth.
Laundrettes and Lovers is a celebration of cinema,featuring rare, on-set photography from a selection of the Working Title Films catalogue across the years. With illuminating interviews and comment by Co-Chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner and specially written pieces from actors, writers,directors and behind-the-scenes creatives, including Hugh Grant, Cate Blanchett, Richard Curtis,Stephen Frears, Tim Robbins and the Coen Brothers, the book is a unique chronicle of a British film company at work.
The result is a breathtaking montage of modern movie-making and a definitive companion to this exciting company"s cinematic achievements.
INTRODUCTION-TIM BEVAN
1980s
WORKING TITLE FILMS-THE EARLY YEARS
My Beautiful laundrette to The Tall Guy
INITIAL FILMS
Sid and Nancy to Kiss Before Dying
1990s
WORKING TITLE FILMS-THE POLYGRAM YEARS
Edward 2 to Notting Hill
2000 onwards
WORKING TITLE FILMS-THE PRESENT
Billy Elliot to Thunderbirds
EPILOGUE-ERIC FELLNER