31/07/2015 - Jack Parry Jones, Christy O’Donnell, Tara Lee star in road trip movie

Television veteran Philip John (Downton Abbey) has commenced principal photography at Scotland locations on his feature debut Moon Dogs [+see also:
trailer
interview: Philip John
film profile]. The screenplay by writing team Raymond Friel and Derek Boyle (Botched) follows two teenage stepbrothers, Michael (Jack Parry Jones) and Thor (Christy O’Donnell) on a road trip from Shetland to Glasgow, and an enigmatic girl, Caitlin (Tara Lee) who becomes a bone of contention. Other cast members include Kate Bracken, Tanya Franks, Denis Lawson, Claire Cage, Niall Greg Fulton, Jamie Sives and Tam Dean Burns.

The film is an Up Helly Aa Films (UK) and Ripple World Pictures (Ireland) production. Kathy Speirs is producing with Suzanne Reid, Dominic Wright and Jacqueline Kerrin. Ken Marshall (Song for Marion [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) is executive producer. The Scottish Playwrights Studio, Creative Scotland and Ffilm Cymru Wales developed the film, with production funding from Creative Scotland, Ffilm Cymru Wales and the Irish Film Board.

John said, “This story has a wonderful message about the goodness and importance of rebellion. It’s about finding the thing you truly love and pursuing it with all your heart, never giving up. I loved the script’s irresistible energy and exuberance.”

Speirs said, “I want to make films that are life-affirming and fun and I am delighted that Moon Dogs is finally happening. I can’t wait to see what audiences think of it.”