By Travis Johnson
Inside Dope, You’ve Got the Cowboy, and Ruptured Soul are the first three features to be produced under the banner of Propaganda Film, a partnership between New Zealand producer, Murray Francis (10,000 B.C., The World’s Fastest Indian) and Monaco-based businessman and philanthropist Sir Owen Glenn.
All three will be shot in New Zealand, making them eligible for that country’s 40% cash grant, with the two partners financing the remainder.
Based on Paul Thomas’ award winning novel of the same name, Inside Dope follows an ex-cop who undertakes a vendetta against Auckland’s drug lord. Thomas and Rene Le Bas are adapting the book, which will be directed by Michael Hurst (Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Ash vs Evil Dead).
You’ve Got the Cowboy focuses on a small town radio DJ who flies to Los Angeles to convince a major Country & Western singer to play a benefit concert for his drought-stricken home town. A fish out of water comedy, it will be directed by Josh Frizzell from a script by Norelle Scott.
Based on a true story, Ruptured Soul will film in Iraq, London, and New Zealand, tellign the story of a former Special forces operator whose past comes back to haunt him
More projects are expected to follow.
“Our partnership came about serendipitously when I discovered that Sir Owen funded the National Aquatic complex in Auckland that my son and I were visiting,” Francis recalls. “I reached out to him to express my admiration for his philanthropic work and he responded with interest in my film projects. After talking for hours about films, we found that we both share the same vision and desire to make great movies and our venture was born. I am simply grateful that someone of Sir Owen’s caliber believes in myself and my film slate. Sir Owen is one of the most prolific businessmen in the world and I can’t think of a better person to partner with. We envision this as the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration.”
“Movies have always been a passion of mine and I am excited to dive into this new role as a film producer,” said Glenn. “With Murray’s expertise in film production, he is the perfect partner for our new business partnership and we look forward to creating exceptional films for audiences around the world.”
