This Is Guernsey

By Juliet Pouteaux

Kate Tindal of publishers Bloombury with the books at the local launch last month.

HOLLYWOOD could come to Guernsey now the film rights of a best-selling book about the island have been sold.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society has been a best-seller in the United States. Now bookseller Mitchell Kaplan and film producer Paula Mazur plan to bring the book to the big screen – and they are looking to Guernsey for a backdrop.

Speaking from California, Ms Mazur  – who produced children’s film Nim’s Island – said: ‘There is something very wonderful about using the authenticity of a place in this sort of film. We are both very excited.’

Mr Kaplan approached her with the idea of making the book into a film. ‘We are attracted to the same books. While I was making Nim’s Island, a number of books we liked came up, but we did not have time to buy the rights. When we read this book, we moved fast to get it.’

Mr Kaplan is an independent bookseller for a small chain of stores in Florida and is keen to visit Guernsey.

‘We would love to film it there,’ said Mr Kaplan, who put the popularity of the book down to interest in the Occupation.

‘My customers don’t know the story of the Occupation, so it fascinates them. Also the characters are appealing, which draws people in.’

Filming here would benefit Guernsey’s economy, he said.

‘It will help spur some tourism. It has been a phenomenon.’

Commerce and Employment is keen to see films shot in the island.

‘This is a charming book,’ said marketing and tourism director Chris Elliott.

‘Its success in the US will certainly increase interest in Guernsey there and we will be eager to see what effect it has on enquiries from potential American visitors.’

The book was written by American Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece, Annie Burrows.

Mrs Shaffer visited Guernsey in 1976, and became stranded by fog.

While here, she read some Occupation literature, which got her interested in the islands. It was only years later that she wrote her best-selling book, which was published this summer.

The owners of the film rights are now keen to work with co-author Ms Burrows.

‘I love books,’ said Ms Mazur. ‘I like to meet the people who write them so I can understand the psychology of them. So to work with the author would be great.’

Ms Burrows, who visited Guernsey in the spring, said: ‘It would be great to do the film there. It has great landscapes and has a very distinctive atmosphere.’

‘I would love to be involved with the film if possible. And if they did film it there, I would really love to come back. It would be good fun.’

Article posted on 12th September, 2008 - 2.30pm