Duo to turn tome into laffer

By: Chris Gardner

The influence of Harvey Weinstein and Robert Redford on the indie film scene provided the intrigue in Peter Biskind’s 2004 “Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance and the Rise of Independent Film.” Now, helmer Ken Bowser and scribe Dean Craig are hoping the behind-the-scenes drama can provide enough fodder for a laffer.

Pair has teamed with PalmStar Entertainment to develop Biskind’s “Down and Dirty Pictures” in to a feature-length comedy, with Bowseraboard to direct and Craig signed to adapt.

PalmStar CEO and co-founder Kevin Frakes is producing. PalmStar chairman and co-founder Stephan Paternot will executive product with Tiwary Entertainment Group’s Sriram Das and Gary Kaplan.

Bowser directed a 2003 docubased on Biskin’s book “Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood.” He describes “Down and Dirty Pictures” as “outrageous” and “insane.”

Tome tracks the rise of independent film starting in the 1990s thanks to suck films as “Pulp Fiction” and “sex, lies, and videotape.” Weinstein and Redford, who figure prominently throughout the book, are credited with playing a key part in the success of the genre, though both are criticized for their personal dealings. A rep for Weinstein at the Weinstein Co. had no comment Tuesday.

” ‘Down and Dirty Pictures’ was so obviously a movie that I was a little amazed when we managed to snatch up the rights before the studios moved in,” Bowser said. “You couldn’t make these guys up. They’re like offensive linemen rampaging across the fields of Sundance sacking anyone who gets in their way, while the handsome movie star owner of the stadium smiles benevolently down on his charges. If that’s not a movie, I don’t know what is.”

Bowser has also done some work for “Saturday Night Live,” including helming “Saturday Night Live in the 80s: Lost & Found.” More recently , he wrote and produced a John Ford/John Wayne episode of “American Masters.” Craig wrote pics “Caffeine” and “Death at a Funeral.”

PalmStar opened shop last year. Shingle’s early credits include Theo Averginos “Fifty Pills,” which bowed at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, and Pete Chatmon’s “Premium.”

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HOLLYWOOD, CA (August 2006) – PalmStar Entertainment is developing Peter Biskind’s (Easy Riders, Raging Bulls) industry expose Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film into a feature length comedy. Ken Bowser (“Easy Riders, Raging Bulls”) is attached to direct and British comedy writer Dean Craig (Frank Oz’ “Death at the Funeral”) will pen the screenplay. Film will be produced by Palm-Star’s CEO and co-founder Kevin Frakes. Executive Produced by PalmStar’s Chairman and co-founder Stephan Paternot, Sriram Das and Gary Kaplan, Vivek Tiwary of Tiwary Entertainment Group.

Down and Dirty Pictures is a highly entertaining saga about the independent film movement in the 1990’s and the filmmakers and people associated in this small world. Biskind’s focus is Sundance Film Festival founder Robert Redford and Miramax’s co-chairman Harvey Weinstein who are instrumental leaders in the independent film world.

Says Biskind, “Behind the cameras with the giants of the indie film scene in the 90’s was almost as exciting as what was in front of the cameras. It’s a subject that demands to be made into a feature film.”

Bowser adds, “Down and Dirty Pictures was so obviously a movie that I was a little amazed when we managed to snatch up the rights before the studios moved in. It’s outrageous, insane, passionate and hilarious; you couldn’t make these guys up. They’re like offensive linemen rampaging across the fields of Sundance sacking anyone who gets in their way, while the handsome movie star owner of the stadium smiles benevolently down on his charges. If that’s not a movie I don’t know what is.”

PalmStar Entertainment is an independent film company based in New York and Los Angeles, founded last year by Kevin Frakes. PalmStar is focused on developing literary driven properties and raises independent production financing for its smaller budgeted films. Currently, PalmStar is developing a feature film adaptation of 3 Nights in August, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Buzz Bissinger (Friday Night Lights, Shattered Glass). Actor and writer Kevin Pollak (“Usual Suspects”) will adapt to screenplay. Last year, PalmStar completed production of its first two features, “Fifty Pills” and “Premium”. “Fifty Pills” recently premiered at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival to rave reviews. The film directed by Theo Avgerinos, stars Kristen Bell (“Veronica Mars”), Lou Taylor Pucci (“Thumbsucker”), Michael Pena (“Crash”) and John Hensley (“Nip/Tuck”). “Premium” directed by Pete Chatmon, premiered at the Miami International Film Festival and stars Zoe Saldana (“Pirates of the Caribbean 2”), Hill Harper (“CSI:NY”), Dorian Missick (“The Manchurian Candidate”), William Sadler (“The Green Mile”) and Frankie Faison (“In Good Company”).

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