HAL Films was a short-lived British film production company, created in October 1997 and dissolved in 2012, although trading stopped in 2000.
History
The company was set up by two former managers at
Channel 4, Head of Film
David Aukin
David Aukin (born 12 February 1942) is a theatrical and executive producer as well as a qualified solicitor. He has been nominated many times for British Academy Television Awards and has won twice for producing films about Tony Blair: ''The Gove ...
and Director of Film Acquisition Colin Leventhal, together with former Miramax executive Petrea "Trea" Hoving (later Leventhal), and was financed by
Miramax Films. The company name was created from the three founders' last names initials: Hoving, Aukin and Leventhal. At the launch, Miramax Films co-chairman
Harvey Weinstein called the managers behind HAL Films "the European dream team", and the company replaced Miramax's London production office.
[Variety, 1 February 2000: ''HAL, Miramax confirm split'']
Retrieved 2013-05-12
The company was involved in the production of four feature films:
* ''Elephant Juice'' (1999)
* ''
Mansfield Park
''Mansfield Park'' is the third published novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1814 by Thomas Egerton. A second edition was published in 1816 by John Murray, still within Austen's lifetime. The novel did not receive any public reviews unt ...
'' (1999)
* ''
About Adam
''About Adam'' is a 2000 romantic comedy film written and directed by Gerard Stembridge and starring Kate Hudson, Stuart Townsend, and Frances O'Connor. The plot focuses on the effect a seductive young man has on four siblings.
Plot
Adam is ...
'' (2000)
* ''
Birthday Girl
''Birthday Girl'' is a 2001 Erotic film, erotic comedy thriller film directed by Jez Butterworth. The plot focuses on English bank clerk John Buckingham, who orders a Russians, Russian mail-order bride, Nadia. It becomes clear upon her arrival ...
'' (2001)
In February 2000 it was announced that Miramax would no longer support the company, and that Aukin and Leventhal would pursue other "interests in the entertainment industry", while Hoving, who had married Leventhal in the meantime, would devote her time to the family.
[Broadcast, 8 February 2000: ''Miramax pulls plug on HAL Films'']
Retrieved 2013-05-12
According to industry newspaper
Variety, the reason for the split was a growing disagreement between the three managers in London and the Miramax management in New York. Following the decision, Miramax took over the London premises under its own name.
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References
Film production companies of the United Kingdom
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