A lot of 'White ' noise

Duo check into 'Hotel'

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

D.M. Thomas' acclaimed novel "The White Hotel" has long been Hollywood's white elephant.

But now, after 25 years, the feature adaptation actually has its first production start date: Oct. 23.

That's according to Santa Barbara-based producer Susan Stewart Potter and writer-director Simon Monjack, who say they've raised enough money to cover the $20 million budget, with much of the coin coming from private equity.

Potter and Monjack are relatively unknown, but throughout its many incarnations, "White Hotel" has captured the interest of directors including Bernardo Bertolucci, David Lynch, Hector Babenco, Terrence Malick, Pedro Almodovar, David Cronenberg and Emir Kusturica.

Stars connected at one time or another include Barbra Streisand, Anthony Hopkins, Meryl Streep, Isabella Rossellini, Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett.

Monjack, a former musicvid producer who also wrote and directed the indie feature "Two Days, Nine Lives," will shoot from his adaptation. Pic is presently casting.

Thomas' surreal drama, published in 1981, revolves around an opera singer who seeks out the services of Sigmund Freud in post-WWI Vienna. Haunted by hallucinatory dreams about a white hotel, she becomes Freud's famous case study Anna G. Together, they unlock the key to figuring out both her memories and premonitions of the future, which include the Holocaust.

Almost immediately after the book came out, Streisand approached producer Keith Barish about buying the rights. In turn, Barish approached "On Golden Pond" director Mark Rydell, who didn't last long. Streisand dropped off after another director suggested a risque sexual maneuver for the film, according to a lengthy first-person account penned by Thomas in 2004 and published in the Guardian.

For much of its life, the project was set up with producers Robert Geisler and John Roberdeau, who eventually fell into legal disgrace, with the rights to "White Hotel" going to Barry Golden, attorney for investor Gerard Rubin.

Enter Potter, who heads up JOA Prods. Two years ago, she brokered a deal between Golden and Thomas to allow her to purchase the film rights. Last summer, she brought on the prolific but obscure Philippe Mora to direct. He fell off the project, with Monjack boarding two months ago.

Monjack said the film will be shot in Prague, Milan and Latvia.