Film Producers Dashishah & Kawadri Bring Michael Caton-Jones Back to London

GENEVA, September 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Film producers Ibrahim Dashishah (Chairman), and Anwar Kawadri (Executive Producer), announce their joint, full financing of the feature film "Urban Hymn", through Swiss-based company Dashishah Global Film Production. Anwar Kawadri, a veteran film maker, based in London, has found common ambition with Ibrahim Dashishah, a Saudi businessman committed to making movies for the international market. Together, they bring film director Michael Caton-Jones (Shooting Dogs, Rob Roy) back to London for this new production. 

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140929/708554-a )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140929/708554-b )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140929/708554-c )

Set against the backdrop of the 2011 British summer youth riots, Urban Hymn is a redemptive coming-of-age story set in South-West London. It follows a wayward teen, Jamie, who possesses an amazing singing voice and is torn between her loyalties towards an inspiring, unconventional care worker, Kate, and her possessive and volatile best friend, Leanne. Caton-Jones directs from an original screenplay by Nick Moorcroft (St. Trinian's 1&2, Burke & Hare).

The film explores, in depth, the contemporary challenges faced by youth in their modern lives, and their fallout on a wider social and political stage. Producers Dashishah and Kawadri believe the film offers, too, the possibility of real resolution of these issues, and a vision of triumph and hope.

It is DGFP's hope that Caton-Jones, who introduced movie star Leonardo DiCaprio with This Boy's Life, will achieve the same with Letitia Wright - Screen International Star of Tomorrow (Top Boy, My Brother The Devil( - and Isabella Laughland (Harry Potter, Now is Good), nominated for Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, 2010.  

Shirley Henderson (Southcliffe, Filth, Trainspotting) has also signed on for a leading role. Other main cast members include Ian Hart, Steven Mackintosh and musician and activist, Billy Bragg.

Caton-Jones comments:  "I'm tremendously excited with the potential of UrbanHymn. Nick Moorcroft's heartbreakingly beautiful screenplay perfectly captures a tale of hope and humanity and examines the transcendental nature of music in a cold and cruel world."

Music for the film, as an important artistic element of any successful venture, has been prepared by a world-class music producer.

The production, which began principle photography on Monday 22^nd September, is being produced by Dashishah Global Film Production and Eclipse Films in association with Powderkeg Pictures. To ensure successful post-production operations, the producers have signed a distribution agreement with one of the major global distribution companies: Metro International will handle international sales.