Bradford City of Film
BRADFORD BECOMES THE WORLD'S FIRST UNESCO ‘CITY OF FILM'
Friday 12 June 2009 - Bradford becomes the first ever UNESCO City of Film. Speaking about his hometown becoming the first ever UNESCO City of Film, Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy, said: "This is superb news for Bradford and is testimony to the City's dedication to the film and media industry.
World famous films which have been made in Bradford
Room at the Top - is a 1959 British film based on the novel by John Braine starring Simone Signoret and Laurence Harvey. Filmed in Halifax and Bradford it is considered the first of the British New Wave of realistic and gritty film dramas winning 2 Oscars, and 8 more awards.
Billy Liar - is a 1963 film shot in Bradford based on the novel by Keith Waterhouse, starring Sir Tom Courtenay and Julie Christie. Nominated for 6 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination.
Yanks - 1979 film Yanks starring Richard Gere is the story of some of the relationships which grew out of the American invasion of a small northern English town (Bradford) during the grim wartime days. Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations.
The Dresser - featuring Oscar winner Albert Finney is a 1983 film based on a screenplay by Ronald Harwood, based on his successful West End and Broadway play. Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 13 nominations
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life - a 1983 musical comedy film by the Monty Python comedy team. It is known for being the darkest, and most disturbing of the 'Python' films. Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 1 nomination
Rita, Sue and Bob Too - is a 1986 British film set in West Yorkshire directed by Alan Clarke. Its portrayal of 'ordinary' people's lives made it a cult film soon after its cinematic release.
Fairytale: A True Story - 1997 film based on a true story where two children in 1917 take a photograph, believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies. Starring Harvey Keitel and Peter O'Toole. 1 win & 3 nominations
Private Function - 1984 film starring Michael Palin set in a small town in England two years after the war. Won 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 win & 2 nominations 1947
My Son the Fanatic - starring Rachel Griffiths. Pakistani taxi-driver Parvez and prostitute Bettina find themselves trapped in the middle when Islamic fundamentalists decide to clean up their local town. 1 win & 5 nominations
L.A Without a Map - 1998 film starring David Tennant. An "aspiring Hollywood actress" on a visit to a charming North England town (Bradford), has a brief fling with the town undertaker who follows her back to Hollywood.
Blow Dry - 2001 film starring Alan Rickman and Natasha Richardson. The annual British Hairdressing Championship comes to Keighley, a town where Phil and son Brian run a barbershop and Phil's ex-wife Shelly and her lover Sandra run a beauty salon.
