CRACKS/ANOTHER SCOTT STAR

The brothers Scott dynasty looks set to run and run. Gladiator Ridley and Top Gun Tony are now being followed onto the big screen by Ridley’s daughter Jordan. Her project? A scary tale of innocence corrupted in a 1930s English girl’s school.

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Surely bad things could not happen in such an austere and cloistered environment! This is respectable Britain, after all. In the days of peace and security.

But Ms Scott, brother of director Jake, has had considerable success in commercials and other film forms (including co-directing with Ridley recently for Prada Perfumes, pictured) and has made the case all too plausible.

Her story focuses on a small privileged group of girls with an excess of admiration for one of their teachers, affectionately referred to as Miss G and played with force by Bond girl Eva Green.

Think Jean Brodie with sex.

Such a set up already smacks of trouble and it is precipitated when a beautiful foreign student arrives at the school and, incroyable, doesn’t give a fig for Miss G’s charms.

Suddenly the school's ripe but smoothly rolling apple cart is upended and tragic consequences for everyone.

Scott has been busy filming in Ireland, with the help of Gladiator cinematographer John Mathieson – wonder how she managed to get him onboard?

Next stop Pinewood Studios, fortunately owned by dad, with a wrap party planned for the end of July.

Leading the girls in trouble in Cracks are Juno Temple from Atonement) and Imogen Poots from 28 Weeks Later while the catalyst is Maria Valverde, from The Anarchist’s Wife.

Sinead Cusack from Eastern Promises and V for Vendetta trying unsuccessfully to fend off disaster.

Ridley Scott himself is not surprisingly involved, as a producer, and says, "We are all proud to be working with a hugely talented film maker to bring this powerful story to the screen".

He would say that wouldn’t he? But it seems likely to be true nonetheless.

Posted July 8, 2008.