Crusade in Jeans

After three auditions, recalls and workshops Jacob finally signs a contract to play the part of 'Yan' in the major film production 'Crusade in Jeans'. After many delays the schedule has finally been sorted and production is due to start Easter 2005. The film based on the book of the same name by Thea Beckman. Directed by Ben Sombogaart and produced by Kees Kasander. Main stars so far announced, Bernard Hill and Kirsten Scott Thomas.

First rehearsals. I travel to London with fellow Carlton Television Workshop members Jack Snell and Scott Weafer. We met up with Rachel our chaperone. We also met up with the production crew and Ben. Saturday night was time to get to know everyone and we went to TGI's. We all had a great time at rehearsals in the Leisure Centre, lots of fight scenes.

Bernard Hill, who was originally cast in the role of Anselmus, has been replaced by Colm Meaney. You may remember him from 'The Commitments' where he played the role of the father. He was also cast in Star Wars.
The production has decided to withdraw from Hungary, due to prohibitive costs. Consequently, re-locating to Luxembourg has brought about inevitable delays in the schedule.

Meeting with Peter Wooldridge in Birmingham with myself Scott and Jack to discuss schedules etc. Looks like the female lead could now be Helena Bonham Carter. Film needs to be completed by July so that it can be released in Holland for Christmas.

Joe is an accomplished musician/songwriter/musical arranger who has extensive experience in Choral/Orchestral concerts, television and radio broadcasts. He has also enjoys session work as a musician. Joe performed as a musician and member of the cast in the National Youth Music Theatre production of Creation at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Kassander films agree to release Jacob from filming so that he can take part in 'Smike' at The Birmingham Repertory Theatre from the 30th June until the 2nd July.

EUROPEAN 'CRUSADE IN JEANS' READY FOR 50 DAY SHOOT
source: Blickpunkt: Film [German]
15/06/05

       Another crusades project is coming our way after the Ridley Scott epic
'Kingdom of Heaven'. This Saturday [18 June] will see the start of 50 days of
filming on 'Crusade in jeans', the English language adaptation of the Dutch Thea
Beckman novel 'Kruistocht in spijkerbroek'. The ambitious € 10,5 million project
will be helmed by Dutch director Ben Sombogaart, whose last film 'De tweeling'
(Twin sisters) was an Oscar-nominee in the foreign language film category in
2003. The film will be produced by fellow Dutchman Kees Kasander, who has
produced most of Peter Greenaway's films.

       'Crusade in jeans' tells the story of a 15-year-old boy who is magically
transported from the present to the time of the crusades, where he will participate
in one of the so-called children's crusades, be it in his 21st century jeans. The
adaptation was written by Jean Claude van Rijckeghem and Chris Craps. Young
thespians Joe Flynn and Stephanie Leonidas will play the main characters, whilst
grown-ups Emily Watson, Michael Culkin, Benno Fürmann, Udo Kier and Herbert
Knaup will co-star.

       The European co-production, which besides the Netherlands involves
Germany, Belgium, the U.K., Luxembourg and Hungary, will film in Germany
(Dresden and Saxony) as well as Luxembourg and Croatia. Reinier van
Brummelen (who filmed Greenaway's Tulse Luper trilogy) handles
cinematography, whilst Hubert Pouille (Die Bluthochzeit, Madame Edouard) has
designed the historical production. The film could be released in the Netherlands
in winter.

Jacob at Birmingham Airport Jacob with fellow actors Scott Weaver and Jack Snell

Jacob and the crew settle into the Hotel Steigenberger, Leipzig. Jacob gets to meet everyone on set and after a few day rehearsal it’s down to actual shooting. Jacob makes friends with Joe Flynn who is an accomplished guitarist. Joe, a Dylan fan performs a version of ‘Don’t think Twice It’s Alright’ for an assembled audience of cast and crew.

Eventful week for Jacob who manages to lose all of his clothes at the Hotel laundry. After getting kitted out with some new clobber the lost items only turn up! So it’s back to the shop for a refund!

The second week in Albrechtshof is not so enjoyable as the lads fear its haunted with ghosts from the Second World War. The hotel is a converted Castle, which was used during the war by the German Army. Some stormy weather produced some power cuts, which added to the spooky feel of the place.

5^th August

Back to the UK for a 2 day break

9th August

Jacob flies out to Luxembourg via Amsterdam. This is the location where the forest scenes are to be filmed. Hotel is a modern Novotel and the lads are a lot happier.

Jacob is managing to get in loads of scenes and has been interviewed for the DVD release as ‘one of the additional features’. Jacob has taken his guitar with him, as have a few of the others. Just waiting for the Joe Flynn Big Band tribute to Bob Dylan!

Filming was completed in early September 2006 after a week's shoot in Croatia.