I Am David (2003)

Director:

Paul Feig

Writers (WGA):

Anne Holm (novel)
Paul Feig (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 November 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Believe in the power to change your destiny

Plot:

David, a 12-year-old, escapes from a Communist concentration camp with little more than a compass, a sealed letter...

Plot Keywords:

Mistrust | Escape | Denmark | Bread | Compass

Awards:

8 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Ben Tibber	...	David
Jim Caviezel	...	Johannes
Joan Plowright	...	Sophie
Hristo Shopov	...	The Man
Silvia De Santis	...	Elsa
Paco Reconti	...	Giovanni
Roberto Attias	...	Baker
Francesco De Vito	...	Roberto
Paul Feig	...	American Man
Lucy Russell	...	American Woman
Maria Bonnevie	...	David's Mother
Viola Carinci	...	Maria
Marin Jivkov	...	Cecha
Robert Syulev	...	Angelo
Alessandro Sperduti	...	Carlo
Shaila Rubin	...	Vineyard Owner
Krasimir Kutzoparov	...	Camp Officer (as Krassimir Kutzuparov)
Elisabetta Bartolomei	...	Woman at Party
Krassimir Radkov	...	Party Guest
Diyan Machev	...	Party Guest (as Deyan Machev)
Nikola Rudarov	...	Store Owner
Enrico Vecchi	...	Grocer
Dobrin Dosev	...	Border Guard (as Dobrin Dossev)
Malin Krastev	...	Policeman
Matt Patresi	...	Swiss Border Guard
Maxim Gentchev	...	Policeman (as Maxim Genchev)
Ivan Nestorov	...	Swiss Policeman
Stefan Shterev	...	Bulgarian Officer (as Stefan Shteref)
Valeri Yordanov	...	Bulgarian Soldier (as Valery Yordanov)
Clem Tibber	...	Young David
Adrian McCourt	...	David's Father
Panayot Tzanev	...	Quarry Guar
Nikolay Kipchev	...	Truck Driver (as Nikolai Kipchev)
Stephen Antonie Shteref	...	Communist Protestor
Paraskeva Djukelova	...	Young Mother

Directed by
Paul Feig

Writing credits (WGA)
Anne Holm		(novel "I Am David")
Paul Feig		(screenplay)

Produced by
Davina Belling	....	producer
Andrea Borella	....	line producer
Lauren Levine	....	producer
Clive Parsons	....	producer
Plamen Voynovsky	....	co-producer
Vladimir Voynovsky	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Stewart Copeland

Cinematography by
Roman Osin

Film Editing by
Steven Weisberg

Casting by
Pippa Hall

Production Design by
Giovanni Natalucci

Art Direction by
Nasko Ianakiev

Set Decoration by
Antonello Rubino

Costume Design by
Uliva Pizzetti

Makeup Department
Laura Borselli	....	key makeup artist
Stefan Izvorov	....	assistant makeup artist
Rasko Russev	....	hair stylist
Gergana Stanoeva	....	assistant hair stylist
Mauro Tamagnini	....	key hair stylist
Valentin Valov	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Franco Coduti	....	production manager
Valentin Dimitrov	....	assistant unit manager
Perry Moore	....	executive in charge of production
Susan E. Novick	....	post-production supervisor: USA
Michael Sammaciccia	....	executive in charge of production
Marco Zanon	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Victor Bojinov	....	second assistant director
Giles Butler	....	second assistant director
Hristo Dimitrov	....	third assistant director
Orlin Grozdanov	....	second second assistant director
Alexander Kossev	....	second second assistant director
Mary Soan	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Daniel Bacciu	....	property master
Bogdan Bogdanov	....	carpenter
Dimo Kostadinov	....	scenographer
Yossif Mladenov	....	set designer
Iren Muratova	....	set designer
Vladimir Petkov	....	set dresser
Nikolay Popov	....	stand-by props (as Nikolai Popov)
Ivan Ranghelov	....	assistant art director

Sound Department
Mark Binder	....	supervising sound editor
Simon Brown	....	boom operator
Patrick Giraudi	....	sound re-recording mixer
Dan Green	....	adr recordist
Mark Lanza	....	sound conforming editor
Mark A. Mangini	....	sound effects editor
Bryan Pennington	....	consultant: Dolby film sound
Reuben Simon	....	sound editor
David E. Stone	....	sound editor
Michele Woods	....	adr recordist
Shawn Ian Kerkhoff	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Tim Baxter	....	film recording
Vasko Dikov	....	special effects coordinator
Mark Holt	....	special effects coordinator

Visual Effects by
Mitch Paulson	....	digital preview colorist

Stunts
Kaloian Vodenicharov	....	stunt driver
Yordan Zahariev	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Julian Atanassov	....	camera assistant
Roberto De Nigris	....	camera operator
Klaus Harnisch	....	gaffer
Hristo Idakiev	....	electrician
Doug Lavender	....	assistant camera
Rupert Lloyd-Parry	....	key grip

Casting Department
Victor Bojinov	....	casting: Bulgaria
Alexander Kossev	....	casting: Bulgaria

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Giovanni Viti	....	assistant costume designer

Editorial Department
Joseph Bond	....	first assistant editor: USA
W. Layne Mcdonald	....	post-production assistant (video segments)
Lissette Roldan	....	post-production intern: USA
Eduardo Sotelo	....	post-production intern: USA
Mark Dashnaw	....	first assistant editor: USA (uncredited)

Music Department
Mauricio J. Balvanera	....	assistant music editor
Michael Dittrick	....	music editor
Lindsay Fellows	....	music supervisor
Sharyn Gersh	....	music editor (as Sharyn M. Tylk)
Christopher S. Parker	....	music clearances
John Rodd	....	orchestral scoring recordist
Mark Ryan	....	music editor
Jeff Seitz	....	music scoring mixer

Other crew
Elisabetta Bartolomei	....	production coordinator
Bob Beltz	....	special advisor
Irina Cherkelova	....	production coordinator
Holly Amber Church	....	assistant: Mr. Copeland
Denitza Daverova	....	production assistant
AnaMarie C. Gonzaga	....	supervising production accountant
Enzo Juvalé	....	production assistant
John Kirby	....	acting coach: Mr. Caviezel
Zoe Morgan	....	script supervisor
Peter Nikolov	....	armorer
Anya Noakes	....	unit publicist
Mike Phillips	....	vice president: physical production/production finance
Nicola Rosada	....	location manager
Gianluca Venturi	....	production accountant
Viola Vergani	....	assistant coordinator
Viola Vergani	....	production assistant
Nasko Vulev	....	production secretary
Joan Zulfer	....	production accountant
Mark Joseph	....	marketing (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Walden Media

Distributors

• Herald Film Company (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Lions Gate Films (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Artisan Entertainment (USA)
• David Productions Ltd.
• Walden Media (USA)

Special Effects

• Capital FX (opticals and digital effects)

Other Companies

• Cutting Edge  negative cutting
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Micdi Productions  music editorial

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and violent content

Runtime:

90 min | Turkey:84 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-3 | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Ontario) | Iceland:LH | Malaysia:U | USA:PG (certificate #39701) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Bulgaria

Company:

Walden Media

Trivia:

"Young David" is played by Clem Tibber, the real-life younger brother of Ben Tibber who played David through the rest of the film.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The radar installation at the airport where David departs is clearly more modern than one that would appear in 1952.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Title Card:In the years after World War II, many people in Eastern Europe were sent to forced labor camps for disagreeing with their new governments. Because of this, families were torn apart. Life in these camps was very harsh, and escape was not an option. And yet, for one boy named David, it was his only hope...
The Man:Are you listening to me? You must escape from here tonight. It's your only chance to stay alive. If you follow my instructions and make it out of the camp. Travel when it's dark to free Bulgaria so you won't be seen. They'll be everywhere waiting to arrest you...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Benchwarmers (2006)

Soundtrack:

Ritmo Senti Che Ritmo

Let me dry my eyes I love this movie

It is sad to see sorrow in the eyes of children. This is a story for any age group, the innocence of a child, the love of an older woman and the kindness of strangers. This movie moved me and made a broader statement about us as humans. I would encourage everyone to watch it. It is a story of strength and struggle and the kindness of strangers. It is about finding refuge in the darkest of places. I was so moved and cried but this is not a tear fest it is a story of hope and the colors and imagery are beautiful. The words are poignant and the sentiments are heart reaching I cannot put it into words you must see this film. The music the lines all are crafted to leave you feeling resolved at the end of the movie you are not at all left hanging. The movie appeals to any persons humanitarian side. Is there a soundtrack? I really loved the music Rice's song is captivating and appropraite for the ending.