Picture Palace North

Sheffield-based film production company Picture Palace North has begun work on a film version of the highly acclaimed novel 'Venus as a Boy' by Whitbread nominated writer Luke Sutherland.

The utterly original and profoundly magical film will tell the story of Cupid sent to earth on a mission to become a saint to those on the wilder shores of sex. Cupid grows up on the Islands of Orkney armed only with a powerful sexuality, a profound beauty and a number of divine bedroom gifts. As Cupid's talents require a grander stage he departs to work in a Motel in the Highlands where his destiny takes shape and his gifts mature, before moving to London to work as a transexual prostitute. Here, guided by his Romanian pimp and the outrageous American transexual Wendy he emerges into his final sainthood.

"A searing, heart breaking work of beauty." The Guardian

"Elegant and sublime." The Independent

"Compelling and fantastical." The Bookseller

The film has been developed with the support of Film Four, Screen Yorkshire and Scottish Screen and with the support of The Screen South and Skillset Cine Euro programme. Producer Alex Usborne has 20 international awards to his name, including the Prix Italia, RTS Awards and has two BAFTA nominations. Picture Palace North is based at the Workstation Creative Business Centre.