DNA's founder, Andrew MacDonald, above, has worked over two decades to mould an idiosyncratic slate, from iconic works such as Trainspotting, above, to The Last King Of Scotland (directed by his brother, Kevin).
MacDonald originally created DNA as an Arts Council-backed funding company with Duncan Kenworthy in the 1990s. In 2001, though, he turned it into DNA films when he entered a 50-50 joint venture with Fox Searchlight, a division of 20th Century Fox. Since then, DNA has produced seven films, with recent projects including Notes on a Scandal, starring Judi Dench.
MacDonald's long collaboration with the director Danny Boyle began in 1994 with Shallow Grave. They followed that success up two years later with Trainspotting, then The Beach in 2000 and 28 Days Later in 2002.
MacDonald, 41, began his career as a runner for a television documentary. He says the ethos of the company is to pick films that reflect high-quality storytelling and directing, and that have a chance of being commercially successful.
"There are lots of very good films that never find an audience and that can't cross over," he says. "Our aim is to find an audience. One of the hardest things for a British producer is that Brits don't always go for British films. Our audiences are very picky. So we want to make edgy, quirky, quality films that can travel."
Press Release by DNA Films
April 15, 2005 - Forest Whitaker has landed the lead role in "The Last King of Scotland." Whitaker will star as the tyrannical Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the film, which will be directed by Oscar-winning documentary director Kevin Macdonald ("One Day in September," ""Touching the Void").
Whitaker joins James McAvoy for the film which tells the story of the strange relationship between a Scottish doctor (McAvoy) and the dictator Idi Amin. "The Last King of Scotland" is based on the book by Giles Foden and was adapted for the screen by Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock.
Andrea Calderwood, Lisa Bryer and Charles Steel are producing the film, with Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, and Tessa Ross executive producing.
In a press release announcing the casting of Whitaker, producer Calderwood was quoted as saying, "There are so many African stories to be told. It's a continent full of extremes and untapped cinematic potential. This story, in particular, has a continuing contemporary resonance."
Executive Producer Ross added, "A master of storytelling through the documentary genre, Kevin Macdonald is the perfect choice to direct this fascinating project."
"The Last King of Scotland" was developed by Film Four. Film Four and DNA are financing the film which will be distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Filming will take place in Uganda and the United Kingdom.
