Variety, May 23, 2002:
Snapper Films, the New York and Helsinki based production entity headed by Juha Wuolijoki, and Minnie Driver’s production shingle Two Drivers Prods., have formed an alliance to co-produce English language feature films in Europe.
The pact is aimed at developing and producing feature films budgeted under the $10 million, with the first two projects expected to be “Luci’s Prayer,” a horror/thriller written by Rick Ramage (“Stigmata”); and “Independent,” a period drama written by Bronwen Denton-Davis.
“Prayer,” set in the bayous of Louisiana, will star Driver in is the story of a woman who must face her voodoo heritage when her dying son is healed by a mysterious stranger. Driver will also produce with her sister Kate Driver and producer Lisa Fielding, who are teamed with the actress at Two Drivers.
Driver will also star in “Independent,” the story of American ex-pat Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt. Pic will be directed by Peter Markham.
“We are proud to be working with Minnie Driver, Lisa Fielding and Kate Driver,” says Wuolijoki. “An alliance with Two Drivers helps us to expand our relationships on the West Coast and in the UK.”
Snapper’s other development projects include an English-language remake of the Finnish film “Rakkaudella Maire” and a film adaptation of the play “A Perfect Ganesh” by Terrence McNally.
Two Drivers are also developing “The Villa Golitsyn” for Roland Joffe to direct, an adaptation of “The Petting Zoo,” by writer/director Richard Kramer for Richard Pearce to direct; and “A Gifted Man” for Simon Wincer to direct.
