Endgame (2008 film)

Infobox Television Film
name = Endgame
caption =
format = Thriller
runtime =
director = Pete Travis
producer = Hal Vogel
writer = Paula Milne
starring = William Hurt
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Mark Strong
Jonny Lee Miller
music =
country = United Kingdom
language =
studio = Daybreak Pictures
network = Channel 4
released = 2008
website =
imdb_id =
amg_id =

"Endgame" is a British television film directed by Pete Travis from a script adapted by Paula Milne from Robert Harvey's "The Fall of Apartheid". The film is produced by Daybreak Pictures for Channel 4, and reunites Travis with "Vantage Point" actor William Hurt. It also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mark Strong.cite news|first=Matthew|last=Hemley|title=C4 season to feature apartheid thriller Endgame|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/20224/c4-season-to-feature-apartheid-thriller|work=The Stage|date=2008-03-26|accessdate=2008-04-17] . The film will also have an international theatrical release, which will be handled by Target Entertainment Group.

Premise

The film depicts the final days of Apartheid, focusing on secret talks held between the African National Congress and the National Party at a country house in Somerset, England.cite news|first= Rob|last= Carnevale|title= Vantage Point - Pete Travis interview|url= http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/vantage-point-pete-travis-interview|work= Indie London|date= 2008-03-05|accessdate= 2008-04-17] The film focuses on the emotional relationship that develops between Willie Esterhuyse and Thabo Mbeki.

Cast

*William Hurt as Willie Esterhuyse. Travis was interested in casting actors he had worked with previously; Hurt played President Henry Ashton in "Vantage Point".
*Chiwetel Ejiofor as Thabo Mbeki.cite news|first= Edward|last= Douglas|title= EXCL: Ejiofor and Hurt Prep for Travis' Endgame|url= http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=43934|work= Comingsoon.net|date= 2008-04-10|accessdate= 2008-04-17]
*Mark Strong.
*Jonny Lee Miller as Michael Young, director of communications for Consolidated Gold.
*Derek Jacobicite news|first= Stuart|last= Kemp|title= Pete Travis' 'Endgame' beginning|url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3i17366dec337edfd57aaa0509e5f94d6a|work= Hollywood Reporter|date=2008-05-07|accessdate=2008-05-13]
*Timothy West

Production

The film was conceived by Daybreak Pictures executive producer David Aukin and former Director General of the BBC Greg Dyke. When Dyke told Aukin that he wanted to make a documentary about the secret talks that ended apartheid, Aukin suggested turning it into a drama instead. Aukin had previously produced the acclaimed political drama "The Government Inspector". during pre-production, Aukin and Paula Milne researched the history of the talks by speaking to Thabo Mbeki and Michael Young in South Africa. Rehearsals began on 14 April 2008. The production moved to South Africa for location filming in May and wrapped in August.cite news|author= Thorpe, Vanessa|title= How secret talks killed off apartheid|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/17/southafrica.television|work= The Observer|publisher= Guardian News and Media|date= 2008-08-17|accessdate= 2008-08-18]

Broadcast and theatrical release

"Endgame" is slated to be a major part of Channel 4's "Apartheid Season". Target Entertainment pre-sold the film at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival for international theatrical release in 2009.

References

External links

* [http://www.endgame-themovie.com Official website]
*imdb title|1217616|Endgame