New challenge for Mr. Bond

CLT-UFA International is proud to partner Pierce Brosnan in his new venture and will distribute The Nephew throughout German/French speaking Europe, the Benelux, Russia and Central and Eastern Europe.

CLT-UFA International: From your debut as Detective Remington Steele to your successful incarnation as Jams Bond to producer...is producing something you always wanted to do?

Pierce Brosnan: Somewhere in the back of my mind, yes, it's been there. If there's one thing I've learned in this business, it's patience. You just have to know when's the right time to do it an since forming Irish DreamTime, it feels like the right time.

What kind of films do you intend to produce?

PB: Good ones, I hope, but not necessarily one type of genre. Something of character. Something with warmth, something which moves you, that when you come away, you can carry with you for awhile.

Are you also interested in directing like other stars have done (Jodie Foster, Barbara Streisand, Robert Redford...)?

PB: Yes, directing is at the back of my mind. There's a side of me that would love to get out there, but I tend to be cautious. I want to know, when I go into a situation, that I really have enough knowledge to play It like it is and if not, to wing it. It's about confidence. Having set up Irish Dream Time and produced one film, and now going into the next one with a studio, has given me more confidence.

Why have you named your new company Irish DreamTime?

PB: The name represents the spirit and soul of Ireland, mixed with the spirit and soul of Australia. Both cultures deal with a lot of dreaming and mysticism. My late wife, Cassie (who was Australian and I had a company named DreamTime. When it came time to sign the papers forming this company, Beau and I wanted to keep the name, but our lawyers told us we had to be more specific to keep the two companies separate. As we were about to do our first picture in Ireland, we thought "Irish" sounded good.

What is your personal relationship with Ireland?

PB: Although I left Ireland as a boy, all my work stems from being Irish. The longer I live, the more connected I feel to the country.

Why have you chosen the Nephew to be your first film as a producer?

PB: Beau said she would love to go to Ireland to actually make a movie, and so did I. But we didn't think it would happen within a year. That's Beau. We compliment each other and respect each other's dreaming. It's great to meet someone who loved the country I'm from and who brought me back there.

Who interested you personally in playing the role of Joe Brady, the pub-owner?

PB: I was asked to be in it. It's like standing up behind your own product. As a first-time producer, I was glad to be in it. I still come to this as an actor first and foremost.

How would you describe the style of first-time director Eugene Brady?

PB: Annoying. Infuriating. Stubborn. Bloody dedicated. Bloody passionate. Bloody brilliant. I have the greatest admiration because it was his first film. Because of Beau and myself, he got a chance to do this. We were two Irish lads losing their virginity, doing a film... I thought he had great courage. You need it. It's so brutal, so demanding. You can't shy away from it. He's a good storyteller.

In the Nephew, you act together with a wonderful Irish cast, Donal McCann and Sinead Cusak and Hollywood's up-and-coming Hill Harper. Can you tell us a little about your work with them?

PB: Donal was definitely one of my first choices (to play Uncle Tony). He's certainly someone I've admired and known about for sometime. To have such a wonderful actor come and join you in making your first film is such a validation for me. Then to act opposite someone like him, was sheer magic. Likewise for Sinead. She's the most beautiful woman. She has a real sensuality. Always had a bit of a passion for the woman. And Hill - incredible. He came on as this wonderful, really switched on young man, fiercely intelligent, bright and passionate. Seeing his dedication to the role gave me shivers. There would be times when I would think, "You're working too hard, lad," and in the next I would think, "Wait a minute - Brosnan, you're not working hard enough...where's your drive gone as an actor?" He (Hill) highlighted so many things for me. He was someone I discovered - Donal, Sinead, I'd know. He was new, but he delivered hands-down.

How does it feel to wear two hats on the set - that of an actor and a producer?

PB: So far, the two have complimented each other. On The Nephew, I was so worried about producing that I forgot about the acting, which is something an actor should always do - forget about the acting end of it and just do it, just relax into it.

What are your next projects as a producer? and as an actor?

PB: As producer/actor - a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, for United Artists. As an actor only, Grey Owl, for Sir Richard Attenborough.

Do you want to continue to wear both hats?

PB: Yes, but first and foremost, I'm an actor. That's my position. That is how I make a living. Right now, the producing is smaller than that., but it could get bigger. The excitement about producing is bringing together people I have always wanted to work with, to tell interesting stories.

CLT-UFA international is very happy to be a part of your new adventure, are you thinking about a new partnership with us in the near future?

PB: I think we've both found each other at a very exciting time. One couldn't ask for a better partnership than to be with a company that is fresh and exciting and has a different way of presenting the world to the world. I am very excited by this alliance.

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