Eric directs first movie

Eric Idle is to direct his first movie - a parody of period dramas.

The Remains Of The Piano will star Geoffrey Rush, who shot to fame in the film Shine.

Idle's spoof on Merchant-Ivory films will be shot in Toronto this summer.

The former Python told the Toronto Sun (torontosun.com): "It's a piss-take on the genre.

"It's got everything a Merchant-Ivory film has: lovely costumes, lovely sets and lovely English acting.

"It's all set to go if producer Garth Drabinsky an ever find the final missing million. There's always a million missing in independent film. Somebody said trying to raise money for independent films is like trying to herd dogs."

Idle directed the Beatles spoof The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash for TV in 1978 and recently completed a sequel, The Rutles: Can't Buy Me Lunch.

Published: 29 May 2002