LANSING – The Michigan Film Office announced Monday the feature film Only Lovers Left Alive has been approved for a film incentive from the state. Set in Detroit and Tangiers, the project will feature a wide range of Detroit locations and showcase some of Detroit’s influential sounds and diverse musical contributions throughout the soundtrack.
Written and directed by iconic independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, the film stars Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin, Michael Clayton), Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, War Horse), Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, Alice in Wonderland), John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the Harry Potter series), and Anton Yelchin (Star Trek, Terminator Salvation).
“Only Lovers Left Alive provides a compelling canvas to showcase the vibrant landscape and musical heritage of Detroit,” said Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office. “Having Jim Jarmusch, one of the most influential independent filmmakers in the industry today, bring this project to Michigan provides a significant opportunity to raise our profile as a top tier state for filmmaking.”
The project was awarded an incentive of $365,904 on $1,304,605 of projected in-state expenditures. The project expects to hire 82 Michigan workers with a full time equivalent of 6 jobs.
“Shooting here has been a great experience,” Jarmusch said. “The city and people of Detroit have a strong and unique spirit, and our local crew has been amazing – creative, hardworking, and very open to our unusual style of filmmaking. I send them my sincere appreciation and respect, as I do to the great city of Detroit.”
Set against the distinctive landscapes of Detroit and Tangiers, an underground musician (Tom Hiddleston), deeply depressed by the direction of human activities, reunites with his resilient and enigmatic lover (Tilda Swinton). Their love story has already endured several centuries at least, but their idyll is soon interrupted by her wild and uncontrollable younger sister (Mia Wasikowska).
Producers are Jeremy Thomas at Recorded Picture Company, and Reinhard Brundig at Pandora Film. International sales are being handled by HanWay Films. Only Lovers Left Alive aims to have its world premiere at a major international film festival in 2013.
To date in 2012, four projects have been awarded a total of $14,515,177 on $49,241,169 of approved production expenditures for the year. These projects are expected to create 712 Michigan hires with a full time equivalent of 212 jobs.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation Film Review Committee, comprised of senior MEDC staff including the Michigan Film Commissioner, reviews all completed applications. For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganAdvantage.org.
