Latest news with #ChasingMillions
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Hill Street saga continues as councillor hits out at MLA: ‘The brass neck of this'
Belfast councillor Brian Smyth aired his criticism of the SDLP over its alleged role in the scheme, given that former SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon was Infrastructure Minister when Hill Street was pedestrianised in a pilot project in 2020. This week, the SDLP posted a video on X of several party representatives standing on Hill Street calling for progress in its pedestrianisation. In the footage, Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole tells the camera: 'Some things in politics are difficult, others are expensive, and sadly lots of things are difficult and expensive. 'But this isn't either. It should be easy, but ministers won't get on and do it.' Brian Smyth took issue with the clip, responding: 'The brass neck of this. It was an SDLP minister who first trailed pedestrianising Hill Street during Covid & was never made permanent. 'The same SDLP minister who failed to use that period as the window to accelerate change. Don't try to pin all this on the current Executive.' Elsewhere, TUV leader Jim Allister has submitted an early day motion in the Commons calling for a museum to be founded in Belfast in honour of Harry Ferguson, the father of the modern tractor. The motion notes that Ferguson filed his master patent for his tractor in Belfast 100 years ago and Mr Allister said 'as Northern Ireland's most celebrated inventor, his life and work deserve a permanent and inspiring home.' Just how popular a tractor museum would be is unclear. Meanwhile, it has emerged that a new film loosely based on the £26.5m Northern Bank robbery in 2004 is to begin shooting in June. Interesting, Chasing Millions won't be a straight crime flick, but rather a 'dark, character-driven comedy', according to director Stephen Burke. For some reason, the film is also set to feature a 'determined young Australian police detective' who finds herself investigating the heist while on a family visit to Northern Ireland. Certainly a unique take.
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast Diary: Hill Street saga, a tractor museum and a unique interpretation
Belfast councillor Brian Smyth aired his criticism of the SDLP over its alleged role in the scheme, given that former SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon was Infrastructure Minister when Hill Street was pedestrianised in a pilot project in 2020. This week, the SDLP posted a video on X of several party representatives standing on Hill Street calling for progress in its pedestrianisation. In the footage, Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole tells the camera: 'Some things in politics are difficult, others are expensive, and sadly lots of things are difficult and expensive. 'But this isn't either. It should be easy, but ministers won't get on and do it.' Brian Smyth took issue with the clip, responding: 'The brass neck of this. It was an SDLP minister who first trailed pedestrianising Hill Street during Covid & was never made permanent. 'The same SDLP minister who failed to use that period as the window to accelerate change. Don't try to pin all this on the current Executive.' Elsewhere, TUV leader Jim Allister has submitted an early day motion in the Commons calling for a museum to be founded in Belfast in honour of Harry Ferguson, the father of the modern tractor. The motion notes that Ferguson filed his master patent for his tractor in Belfast 100 years ago and Mr Allister said 'as Northern Ireland's most celebrated inventor, his life and work deserve a permanent and inspiring home.' Just how popular a tractor museum would be is unclear. Meanwhile, it has emerged that a new film loosely based on the £26.5m Northern Bank robbery in 2004 is to begin shooting in June. Interesting, Chasing Millions won't be a straight crime flick, but rather a 'dark, character-driven comedy', according to director Stephen Burke. For some reason, the film is also set to feature a 'determined young Australian police detective' who finds herself investigating the heist while on a family visit to Northern Ireland. Certainly a unique take.
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Northern Bank robbery heist film starring ex-Dr Who star to start filming in Ireland
Chasing Millions is loosely based around the largest bank robbery in British and Irish history A newspaper seller outside the Northern Bank in Belfast days after it was robbed in December 2004 Dr Who star Christopher Eccleston and Australian actress Madeleine Madden will be the stars of a new Irish heist movie that is to begin shooting in Ireland in June. Loosely based around the largest bank robbery in British and Irish history, Chasing Millions will be directed by Stephen Burke, who is also one of the co-writers alongside Katherine Thomson. The film is set during Christmas 2004 in Belfast, where, according to the synopsis, 'Diana, a determined young Australian police detective, finds herself investigating the £26 million robbery of the Northern Bank while on a family visit. 'Hoping to prove herself to her skeptical bosses back home, Diana is paired with Crayford, a seasoned Northern Irish detective resistant to her involvement. 'As they navigate old tensions, elusive suspects, and bizarre twists - including taunting messages from the thieves - the unlikely duo gradually learns to work together. When the case seems lost, Diana devises an ingenious plan that could render the stolen millions worthless.' The film's stars the Emmy-winning Eccleston, of 28 Days Later, The Leftovers and True Detective fame and Madden of The Wheel of Time, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, as the leads. Director Burke said the film marks his first exploration of post-conflict Northern Ireland through a primarily comedic lens. He said: 'The aftermath of the Northern Bank robbery, with its many twists and unexpected turns, offers a perfect foundation for a dark, character-driven comedy.' Producer Jane Doolan of Mammoth Films said Chasing Millions 'strikes that rare balance between gripping entertainment and thoughtful reflection'. 'We believe Chasing Millions has strong potential to connect with global audiences, offering a unique, vibrant take on the heist genre.' Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said the movie would 'bring together two nations with deep storytelling traditions and showcases the talents of an exceptional creative team'. 'Chasing Millions is a gripping, character-driven crime drama that not only entertains but speaks to the enduring complexities of justice and trust,' she said. 'We are proud to have supported this bold and engaging project, and are thrilled that it is entering production very shortly.' Keith Potter, Head of Feature Film at Screen Ireland, described the plot as a 'remarkable Irish story based on true events'. 'We're looking forward to seeing it come to life and make an impact with audiences very soon." The film is loosely based on the largest bank robbery in British and Irish history, which took place in December 2004 in Belfast. More than 20 years ago, on December 20, 2004 £26.5million in cash was stolen from the headquarters of Northern Bank on Donegall Square West in Belfast. No convictions have been made in the aftermath of the robbery In December 2024, it was reported that a new feature film inspired by the robbery was set to start filming in Belfast this year. No Ordinary Heist was unveiled as a new fictionalised thriller "Inspired by true events from Belfast in December 2004'> "No Ordinary Heist weaves a gripping fictional tale of two bank employees thrust into a chilling scheme,' it was revealed at the time. "Forced to orchestrate a £26.5 million robbery to save their families, they are made to execute the crime without the gang ever stepping foot inside the bank." The film marked the first feature project for the newly launched Picture Locked Productions, in partnership with Damon Lane of Next Wednesday Films.
