EXCLUSIVE: Angels in the Asylum‘s producers have sent a profuse apology to unpaid crew after Deadline revealed that the Simon Pegg indie film had to halt shooting amid funding issues.
In an email to colleagues on Friday morning, producers Rob Sorrenti and Heather Greenwood said they were “truly sorry that we find ourselves in this terrible situation.” They added: “It was never what we could possibly have imagined when we started this journey.”
Angels in the Asylum set out to tell an important story about women incarcerated against their wishes, but had to pause production indefinitely last month after running out of cash. Around 150 crew members are owed at least £600,000 ($776,000) in wages, suppliers have not been paid, and producers have also gone without a salary. Cast pay was ringfenced in an escrow account under Equity union agreements.
The reasons for the financial strife are disputed. The position of Sorrenti and Greenwood is that funding under an arrangement with distributor Parkland Pictures has not materialized. Parkland CEO John Cairns told Deadline that his company had no agreement to finance Angels in the Asylum beyond its work as a sales agent.
“We began production with funds from our equity investors and were assured at that time we would receive the balance of the necessary contracted funds to continue production,” Sorrenti and Greenwood said in Friday’s email. “After commencing principal photography, we faced unprecedented challenges with our financier, who struggled to meet their contractual obligations, pushing us into an unwanted and unplanned hiatus.”
“We are actively exploring financing options that will not only meet all existing obligations to all creditors but will also enable us to complete production,” they added. “Trust that our small, dedicated team is working hard to secure new financing opportunities.”
Those caught up in the collapse are furious, with some complaining that the issues have been compounded by poor communication and false hope from those running the production. “I believe they gambled with people’s livelihoods, knowing full well the risk of not receiving investment, but such was their hurry to get their project to screen they overlooked this,” said one crew member.
Sorrenti, who also serves as Angels in the Asylum’s director, and Greenwood said: “We are truly sorry if some of you feel that we haven’t been honest with you, this is absolutely not the case. We believed we would be receiving the funds.”
They added: “We understand that this situation has presented significant challenges for many of you and recognise how distressing and uncertain this time can be. We sincerely apologise for the impact it has had on all your lives. We want you to know that our main priority is to secure funding to enable all those affected to be compensated.”
Bectu and Equity are supporting members impacted by the hiatus. In a statement to Deadline, Bectu boss Philippa Childs said: “Film and TV workers have already faced an incredibly challenging few years and to be out of pocket will make things even difficult financially for lots of our members who’ve lent their talents and expertise to this film. While this situation is unfortunately symptomatic of a very unstable industry, it is the crew who are too often the first to suffer and the hardest hit when production is impacted.”
Inspired by true events, Angels in the Asylum co-stars Katherine Waterston, Minnie Driver, Lesley Nicol, Rose Williams, Aurora Perrineau, and Alex Jennings. Cush Jumbo and Miriam Margolyes were originally attached. It centers on women who were forcibly confined in isolation at Surrey’s Long Grove Asylum in the 1930s after being deemed to be typhoid carriers. Those who have worked on the film talk animatedly about the strength of the script and rushes.
Pegg is an executive producer, though he has not invested in the film and has not been paid for his work to date. The Crown director Steven Daldry is also an executive producer.
