Lynch brothers aim to follow in Ridley Scott's footsteps

Dec 6 2008 by David Whetstone, The Journal

BROTHERS born in the same South Tyneside hospital as Sir Ridley Scott are aiming to emulate he and his brother Tony in the world of cinema.

Keith and David Lynch, who spent their early years in Jarrow before their father’s work took the family down south, are competing tonight for a £250,000 deal to get their film, Different Shades of Graham, made and distributed.

With fellow writer/director Brad Watson and producer Simon Thomas, they will be at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art to present their film project to industry experts in The Big Pitch.

Three other teams are also shortlisted in the competition which is part of the closing programme of the Northern Lights Film Festival.

The winning film will be screened at next year’s festival.

“Ridley Scott was born in the same hospital as us, South Shields General,” said David, who is 25.

“They are both such fantastic directors and it would be great to do what they have done.”

Keith, 27, said winning The Big Pitch “could be life changing. We want to get our film made anyway, but this would make it much easier.”

The Big Pitch takes place at 5.30pm and the public can attend. Voting will be open for an hour after the event. Follow proceedings at www.the-big-pitch.com.