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Doug Liman Directing, Geoffrey Fletcher Writing, Attica Film

by Alex Billington
February 16, 2010

Finally an original idea (although it's based on real events). It was announced via Deadline Hollywood that director Doug Liman (Swingers, Go, The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Jumper) will be directing a new film from a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire) called Attica. The film will give us an insider's view of the 1971 Attica state prison rebellion (in New York), which was the "bloodiest prison confrontation in U.S. history." It will also follow the "firestorm of controversy that followed the 4-day standoff." Liman is also producing along with David Bartis and Elliot Abbott. Read on!

Attica is a "deeply personal" project for Liman because his father, an attorney, served as Chief Counsel to the New York State Special Commission on Attica Prison and co-authored the Commission’s searing report. In the riot, 32 inmates and 10 hostages were killed, 39 of them in an assault by state police officers. "My father's report literally reads like a page turner," Liman said. "It is filled with stories of guards and prisoners from vastly different backgrounds learning to trust each other in the face of real human tragedy." Whoa, I'm in, sounds intense; and it should be a challenge for Liman. Will be looking forward to following this project.

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

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