SOUTH FLORIDA—The principals of Forbidden Fruits Films announced today that their prodution company has inked a deal with iconoclast director Harry Sparks to produce his next movie.
It's a bold and unexpected move for the company, which has built a strong reputation with its tightly budgeted, briskly selling, independent adult productions. Sparks is best known for his two most recent movies, Revenge of the Petites and Vampire Mistress—both ambitious, multi-character features.
The name of the production has not been released, but casting for the Florida-based shoot is almost complete.
Said Jodi West, president of Forbidden Fruits, "We were completely honored when a person of Harry's stellar reputation and caliber came to us for this project. The script is fantastic, the casting will be perfect, and if it follows suit with previous projects, it will be a hit."
"We are pulling out all the stops for Harry," said Jay West, co-owner of Forbidden Fruits. "We are slating extra production time and going beyond our normal shooting budgets to give Harry all the room and assets he needs to create this movie."
Sparks added, "I can't wait to begin shooting my first movie for Forbidden Fruits Films. I'm a huge fan and to get the opportunity to collaborate on this movie with Jay and Jodi is very exciting."
Forbidden's newest director, Levi Cash, has been pushing the darker boundaries with his manipulation line, but Sparks' project reportedly will go further. Sparks was initially worried that the script was too edgy for Forbidden, but after the initial production meetings, he knew he would have a wide berth.
"There is no other studio out there that can do what Forbidden Fruits has done," said Howard Levine, whose Exile Distribution handles Forbidden Fruits. "Some have tried but remain unsuccessful. It is not easy to recreate a winner. It takes a very special formula that Jay and Jodi have developed and only they themselves can communicate this to the directors they choose to work with. Sales have been incredible, and it is due to the overwhelming support of the distributors and the stores. We know what the customer is looking for, and deliver it for them to enjoy."
Levine added, "Harry Sparks is a very quiet genius and knows how to tell a story like no other. His films will do very well."
Shooting for the project on location in South Florida will begin the first week of May.
