EJP | In Depth | World Cup | Film about the World Cup and a Bar-Mitzvah to be released

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Film about the World Cup and a Bar-Mitzvah to be released

Updated: 16/Jul/2006 17:57

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LONDON (EJP)--- The company behind a new film exploring the dilemma of holding a Bar-Mitzvah on the day England appeared in the football World Cup final are considering moving its release date forward to take advantage of this summer’s World Cup fever.

Sixty Six, produced by British favourites Working Title Films, stars award winning actress Helena Bonham Carter as a Jewish mother and Catherine Tate as a Jewish auntie.

The story tells the story of a boy whose Bar-Mitzvah, the Jewish celebration of a boy becoming a man at age 13, coincides with the 1966 World Cup final between England and Germany, and the effect it has on his family attempting to plan the day’s events.

Working Title, home to such British hits as Four Weddings And A Funeral, and Notting Hill, was co-founded by Eric Fellner, whose own son recently celebrated his own Bar-Mitzvah.

World Cup fever

The film, which was completed in December 2005, was originally set to be released in October, but producers are now trying to change the date as the UK and the rest of the world remain excited by the 2006 World Cup tournament.

Although the English national team was eliminated by Portugal at the quarterfinal stages from the tournament, which was held in Germany from June 9 to July 9, interest in the competition reached wild levels over the last month.

According to an insider who spoke to UK-based website SomethingJewish before England got knocked out, "It would be great to release the film sooner rather than later, as everyone has really gone World Cup crazy, and if England gets through to the final, then†Sixty Six†could be the hit British film of the year."

"Great film"

One reviewer described the production as "another great film which portrays teenage angst and unlocks the world of the London Jewish community as they struggle for identity in the sixties."
Most reviews have centered on Bonham Carter’s exceptional acting display as a Jewish mother frantically trying to arrange a Bar-Mitzvah.
Bonham Carter is perhaps the most recognizable of the cast to an international audience having played alongside Brad Pitt in the 1999 movie "Fight Club". Bonham Carter was born and grew up in the predominantly Jewish area of Golders Green and also has Jewish blood in her from her mother’s side.

Sixty Six is directed by Paul Weiland (Roseanna’s Grave, City Slickers II), from an original screenplay by Peter Straughan and Bridget O’Connor. It is produced by Elizabeth Karlsen, Tim Bevan, and Eric Fellner and executive produced by Natascha Wharton.

Day in history

24 July 1934
The Nazis attempt to overthrow the Austrian government. Chancellor Dollfus is assassinated, but the putsch failed and Kurt von Schuschnigg was appointed Chancellor. He in turn tried his best to curtail Nazi influence in Austria.