News Flash!

The last movie Anthony Minghella directed before his death, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, will be shown on HBO in the United States—after many years of sweat, wonderment and necessary star alignment—on March 29, 2009.

MARCH 29, 2009 – HBO PREMIERES THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY MOVIE DIRECTED BY ANTHONY MINGHELLA !!!

WATCH FOR THE SERIES, BEGINNING APRIL 5 for six consecutive Sundays: APRIL 5, APRIL 12, APRIL 19, APRIL 26, MAY 2, MAY 9

Nine years in the making, a journey of thousands people, of the nation of Botswana, of hearts and souls, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency movie and television series will be aired on HBO.

On the second trip Amy J. Moore took Anthony Minghella on to Botswana, way up in the North towards a dusty village called, Gweta, they consulted a sangoma (witchdoctor.) Moore took up the "bones," many different talisman to "roll," a bit like Tarot cards, and to see what his prophecy would be about the project. The Sangoma whispered in a language, not close to English and hardly close to Setswana, a dialect few spoken. He predicted of her No. 1 project "it will be a very long journey, but a very successful one" At that time, Moore had been pushing to make this project for six years, and like a typical New Yorker she blurted out, "how much longer can this take?"

Well...the time has come to unveil this work to audiences.

Write to us. Let us know how you like it!

ABOUT THE NEW SERIES

Over the course of 2008, Cinechicks shot 6 one-hour episodes of the continuing journey of Mma Ramotswe and her Batswana friends on location in Gaborone, Botswana. 60 different locations around "Gabs" were used, fast and fun, the series has a very open and African humor and feel.

Nicholas Wright, esteemed British playwright, wrote the first three, episodes one-three. One of Wright’s best works was his 2007 play, The Reporter, directed by Richard Eyre and staged at the National Theatre in London. Director Charles Sturridge stepped courageously in to fill big Minghella shoes, and directed these first three. Sturridge, who is well known for many feature films, theatre and television pieces directed the quintessential Brideshead Revisited. He kept to Minghella’s spirit for No. 1 but added his own wonderful touch. Sturridge had a great calm and reserve on Set. His wisdom and depth of intelligence is reflected in these first three episodes.

Robert Jones wrote the second three episodes, four through six. What a man! What a talent! His episodes draw out the characters in the book and extend their personal stories. True the original intent, episodes four-six, give audiences the feel of sitting down and having a cup of bush tea with Mma Ramotswe. Tim Frywell directed of episodes. Tim approached every day with infectious enthusiasm and talent — gleeful in his approach to Africa — he seemed incredibly happy and buoyant despite the 110 degree + temperatures.

HBO has planned a number of activities to support No. 1 Ladies, including a RED CARPET premiere on March 18th. Author Alexander McCall-Smith will attend. Richard Plepler and Michael Lombardo of HBO, and Harvey and Bob Weinstein of The Weinstein Company will host the event. A few luminaries from Botswana, including former President Fetus Mogae, will also join us.

There are many good women at HBO who deserve thanks—Sue Nagel and Tobe Becker and Cecile Cross Plummer—to mention a few. They have pulled out every stop to embrace and make this No. 1 release work. Thank you!!