Dan Ireland

Dan Ireland began his career as the co-founder/co-director of The Seattle International Film Festival In the 1980's, Ireland was the co-owner /cooperator of The Egyptian Theatre, the most successful independent theatre in the state of Washington. Ireland remained at the theatre and festival until 1986, where he was Executive Vice President of Acquisitions for Vestron Pictures. It was at Vestron that Ireland developed his filmmaking skills. During his time there, he was Executive Producer of fifteen films including John Huston's final film ‘The Dead’ (two Oscar nominations), Bernard Rose's feature debut ‘Paperhouse’ and Ken Russell's ‘The Rainbow’.

In 1996 Ireland made his debut as a feature director for Cineville with the highly acclaimed film, THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD, starring Vincent D'Onofrio and Renee Zellweger also produced by Ireland and D'Onofrio.

It was this performance that introduced Zellweger to producer James L. Brooks and director Cameron Crowe for her follow up film, ‘Jerry Maguire’, and launched her into international stardom. ‘The Whole Wide World’ was on over 50 top ten critics year end lists and won Zellweger the coveted National Society of Film Critics award for most promising newcomer of the year. D'Onofrio was named runner up as Best Actor by the same organization for his performance. Ireland re-teamed with D'Onofrio for 1998's controversial ‘The Velocity of Gary’, the film also starred Salma Hayak and introduced Thomas Jane (The Punisher).

In 2003, Ireland directed the romantic comedy, ‘PASSIONADA’, released to critical acclaim by The Samuel Goldwyn Company and internationally by Columbia-TriStar Pictures. It was her performance in this film that brought Emmy Rossum to the attention of director Joel Schumacher for the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Weber's ‘The Phantom of the Opera’.

Ireland's next film, MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT, based on the celebrated novel by the late English novelist, Elizabeth Taylor, stars the legendary Dame Joan Plowright (Lady Olivier, and star of Enchanted April) in her largest screen role to date.

Mrs. Palfrey is the humorous, bittersweet story of a recently widowed elderly woman who moves to London, and her unexpected friendship with a young writer who is at the turning point in his life. It is the story of two people, who, even though fifty years apart, become the best of friends.

Ireland was quoted, "Finding a young actor that could match the amazing Joan Plowright was perhaps the most challenging aspect of casting that I've ever been faced with."

And speaking of discoveries, the young writer in the film is portrayed by Britain's most celebrated new actor, Rupert Friend. Mr. Friend stars opposite Johnny Depp in Miramax's upcoming release, "The Libertine", and opposite Keira Knightly in Working Title's remake of Jane Austin's "Pride and Prejudice". Mr. Friend has also just completed ‘Cheri’ for legendary director Stephan Frears, starring opposite Michelle Pfeiffer, and ‘The Young Victoria’ where he is the co-lead opposite Emily Blunt.

Since that time, Dan Ireland embarked on the journey of bringing E.L. Doctorow’s provocative short story JOLENE to the screen. Jolene is the story of a young woman’s odyssey through America, ages fifteen through twenty-five, her survival, and her ultimate quest to find love.

The actress, Jessica Chastain, won the coveted 2008 Best Actress Award at The Seattle International Film Festival for her performance, and it was this film that helped her land the lead role opposite Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in Terrence Malick’s upcoming film, THE TREE OF LIFE, which will premiere Cannes 2010, and John Madden’s THE DEBT, starring opposite Dame Helen Mirren and Sam Worthington.

Starring opposite Jessica Chastain are Rupert Friend (Mrs Palfrey), Dermot Mulroney, Michael Vartan, Chazz Palminteri, Denise Richards and Frances Fisher. The film will be released fall 2010.

In October last year, Dan Ireland re-teamed with Renee Zellweger in her first outing as a producer to make LIVING PROOF, the story of Dr Dennis Slamon, the creator of Herceptin, the only drug effective in the combat against breast cancer. Neil Meron and Craig Zadan also executive produced. The film aired on Lifetime as part of their Breast Cancer Awareness Month to great acclaim and drew over 16 million viewers.

Awards:

Nederlands Film Festival 1982
Won, Golden Calf for Furthering the Dutch Film Industry in America

Newport Beach Film Festival 2006
Won, Audience Award
Best Film for Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont

Palm Springs International Film Festival 2006
Won, Audience Award for Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont

Seattle International Film Festival 1996
Won, Audience Award, 1996, Best Film for The Whole Wide World

Sundance Film Festival 1996
Nominated, Grand Jury Prize
Dramatic for The Whole Wide World (1996)