StreetDance 3D
Independent production and distribution company Vertigo Films has beaten the US studios to the number one spot at the UK box office in a battle of David and Goliath proportions.
StreetDance 3D leapt to number one, taking £1.8m on opening weekend, beating Disney’s Prince of Persia and dethroning Universal Studios Robin Hood. Taking in last weekend's preview screenings the figure totals £2.4m.
With 345 3D screens committed to showing the film, StreetDance 3D was already the biggest ever 3D release before it opened, leaving contenders such as Clash of the Titans (333 screens) and Avatar (305) trailing.
The impressive opening weekend performance also makes it the biggest ever opening weekend for a Lottery-funded film (bigger than even Bend it Like Beckham and St Trinian’s).
"The success of StreetDance 3D has far exceeded our expectations," says James Richardson, producer and co-owner of Vertigo Films, "The fact that an independent British film has beaten the US heavyweights just shows how well Streetdance 3D has connected with audiences across the country."
John Woodward (Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council) says: "The UK Film Council can take credit for co-financing and championing Streetdance 3D. It is the UK’s first ever 3D feature film and signals to the rest of the world that the British film industry is well placed right at the heart of the 3D film revolution.
"It’s another shining example of how Lottery funding can make all the difference in discovering and nurturing new creative talent."
Christine Langan (Creative Director, BBC Films) says: "BBC Films is proud to have supported Vertigo in the making of StreetDance 3D.
"It’s amazing performance in the UK this sunny weekend and massive international sales pay tribute to a bold, innovative and diversely talented filmmaking community and prove that nurturing it in the early stages pays dividends for the UK as a whole."
StreetDance 3D is the first British film to be shot entirely in 3D and is the world’s first 3D dance movie. Directed by award winning duo Max & Dania, the story follows the exploits of a London dance crew training for the UK Street Dance Championships, who are forced to work with ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School in return for rehearsal space.
With no common ground and with passions riding high, they have to find a way to work together to win. Charlotte Rampling (The Duchess, Swimming Pool) heads a diverse cast of new and emerging talent including Nichola Burley (Love & Hate, Donkey Punch), dance sensation Richard Winsor (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake; Dorian Grey, Edward Scissorhands), BGT winners George Sampson and Diversity, and street dance Champions Flawless.
Produced and financed by Vertigo Films with co-financing by the UK Film Council , BBC Films and Little Gaddesden Productions, StreetDance 3D is being distributed by Vertigo Films in the UK with international sales handled by Protagonist Pictures.
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