Funding bid hoping to turn John MacKay novel into a movie

FUNDING is reportedly being sought to turn a novel by STV newsreader, John MacKay, into a movie.

Says The Herald, the mother of actor, Ewan McGregor, is at the Cannes Film Festival, trying to drum up cash to make The Road Dance which MacKay penned eight years ago.

MacKay is quoted by STV saying that some funding has already been secured.

The Herald article – by arts correspondent, Phil Miller, who is in Cannes – quotes Carol McGregor, executive producer for Sorbier Productions, as saying: “This is a film which not only features a very strong female lead, a great role, but several strong female characters.

“It is quite a dark story and the film will not be quite as dark, but we plan to shoot on Lewis, all on location and in period.”

The Road Dance is set during the first World War and follows the story of heroine, Kirsty MacLeod. It is one of three books authored by MacKay, each one set in the Western Isles.

MacKay tells STV that he has already written the screenplay for the film, and that Scots actor, David Hayman, is attached to the project.

He is quoted as saying: “There is a long way to go, but we believe that The Road Dance would be a powerful film. David Hayman’s association has given it added impetus.”