Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

• UK television premieres of The Damned United, Is Anybody There? and Eastern Promises
• Marks the official launch of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two as the new home for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films
• Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Showreel also launched online bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms

A special weekend starting on Saturday 17 July will see Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two broadcast the UK TV premieres of The Damned United, Eastern Promises and Is Anybody There? This marks the official launch of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two as the new principal home for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films, the award-winning feature filmmaking arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

The Damned United tells the story of Brian Clough's legendary stint as manager of Leeds United, starring Michael Sheen as the eponymous Clough, Timothy Spall as Peter Taylor, and Colm Meaney as arch-rival, Don Revie.

Is Anybody There? is Michael Caine's moving portrayal of retired magician Clarence in a bitter-sweet tale of an unusual friendship.

Finally David Cronenburg's highly acclaimed thriller Eastern Promises is a tale from the dark underworld of London's Russian mafia, starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts.

Also accompanying The Damned United is the frank documentary Brian Clough: From Front to Back.

This Autumn, as part of an education moment on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films will showcase Notes On A Scandal starring Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett, and Alan Bennett's critically acclaimed The History Boys.

Earlier this year, as part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Strategy Review, it was announced that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two would become the principal home for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films. This is part of a drive to bring more quality drama to the channel, with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Strategy Review proposing a Β£25m investment in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two from 2012 to boost the channel's distinctiveness.

Janice Hadlow, Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two, said: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two is committed to showing more quality fiction on the channel, and we're delighted that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films will be part of this. It's wonderful that licence fee payers will be able to see these films for free following their theatrical releases."

Christine Langan, Creative Director, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films, said: "Establishing a permanent home for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two will enable us to create exciting film moments for our audiences throughout the year, reinforcing our commitment to bring original and distinctive British films to the British public."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films produces around eight films a year working in partnership with major international and UK distributors.

Today also sees the launch of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films Showreel on bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms, presenting a selection of highlights from recent and forthcoming films.

The films premiering on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two on July 17/18 are as follows:

The Damned United
Taking over from his hated rival, Don Revie, Clough is determined to destroy the soul of his new club. Revie's Leeds were peerless, cynical, inspired. No one loathed them more than Clough. The feeling was mutual. Clough is alone, haunted and sleepless throughout his brief and painful stint as manager of Leeds United. The compulsive, flawed and tragic figure he cuts takes on Shakespearian dimensions and presents us with a football manager's guide to heaven and hell. Starring Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall. Directed by Tom Hooper and the screenplay is by Peter Morgan from the novel The Damned United by David Peace.

Also accompanying the film is Brian Clough: From Front to Back, a frank documentary telling the story of an unforgettable career, including heady days with Derby County, unprecedented European success with Nottingham Forest and his notorious 44-day tenure as Leeds United boss. Martin O'Neill and Sir Michael Parkinson are among those who remember the man they called 'Cloughie'.

Is Anybody There?
Edward hates living in the old people's home run by his parents. His only interest is a morbid obsession with ghosts, death and the afterlife. Until, that is, the arrival of reluctant new resident, Clarence – a retired magician with a liberating streak of anarchy. Together this delightful odd couple overcome their personal drawbacks, and learn that you are never too old, or too young, to grow up. Starring Michael Caine, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey, Bill Milner, Leslie Phillips, Elisabeth Spriggs. Director John Crowley and screenplay by Peter Harness.

Eastern Promises
A midwife sets out to discover the truth behind the murder of a young prostitute and finds herself snared in the deadly world of the Russian mafia. Starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel and Armin Mueller-Stahl Directed by David Cronenberg and the screen play is by Steve Knight.

Notes to Editors

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films is the feature film-making arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. It aims to make strong British films with range and ambition, bringing the best of British talent to audiences. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Films is firmly established at the forefront of British independent film-making, and co-produces around eight films a year, working in partnership with major international and UK distributors.

Creative Director Christine Langan is responsible for the development and production slate. Jane Wright is Managing Director, responsible for running the business operations and marketing.

Recent hits include StreetDance, Britain's first-ever 3-D movie; Lone Scherfig's Academy Award-nominated and Bafta award-winning An Education; Armando Iannucci's Academy Award and Bafta award-nominated In the Loop; Jane Campion's Academy Award-nominated Bright Star; and Andrea Arnold's Bafta award-winning Fish Tank.

Forthcoming films include Nigel Cole's Made in Dagenham; Rowan Joffe's feature debut Brighton Rock; Ayub Khan Din's follow up to East is East, West is West, directed by Andy de Emmony; Ralph Fiennes' Coriolanus, a modern retelling of the Shakespeare classic; and Stephen Frears' Tamara Drewe, the tale of a once shy, ugly teenager who reinvents herself as a smouldering femme fatale.

KL/NV