Mirren, Walters lead girls for 'Calendar'

Pic based on Yorkshire matrons who posed naked

By ADAM DAWTREY

CANNES -- Helen Mirren and Julie Walters will be displaying their charms in Nigel Cole's "Calendar Girls."

Mirren and Walters will take the lead roles in the true story of 12 Yorkshire matrons who posed naked for a calendar to raise money for charity.

Pic, which starts shooting June 24, is being fully financed by Buena Vista Intl. It will be Cole's first pic since the niche hit "Saving Grace."

The script, by Juliette Towhidi and Cole, is based on the story of the Women's Institute members in a small Yorkshire village who decided to do something different for their annual calendar.

They were photographed doing all the things club women are traditionally supposed to do -- making jam, baking bread, flower arranging -- but in the buff. The calendar became a media sensation and national bestseller.

They were inspired to disrobe in order to raise money for medical research after the husband of one woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Producers are Nick Barton and Suzanne Mackey of Harbour Films.

Pic will be BVI's third pic with U.K. producers, after "High Heels and Low Lifes," released last year, and "Hope Springs" (aka "New Cardiff"), which is in post.

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117866888.html

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