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 | | Wednesday, 12 September, 2001, 14:54 GMT 15:54 UK Greenfingered prisoners' film premi�re  The prisoners used the Eden Project as a theme Open prison inmates who inspired the new British film "Greenfingers" have been given their own advance screening. The prisoners at Leyhill Prison in Gloucestershire, who have won awards at the Chelsea Flower Show, settled down to watch a video. Celebrities, including Anna Friel and Vinnie Jones, turned out at the Kensington Odeon in London for the official premi�re of the film about inmates who turn to gardening. The film goes on general release on Friday. Positive message The governor of Leyhill, Richard Booty, described the film, which stars Helen Mirren and Clive Owen, as providing a "positive message" about prisoner rehabilitation. Mr Booty said several former Leyhill inmates have gone on to get jobs in landscape gardening or similar fields. Speaking to BBC News Online from the prison Mr Booty said: "Myself and the inmates feel it is a very good story about the positive effects of getting into something like gardening for prisoners.
Mr Booty explained that the writer and director of "Greenfingers", Joel Hershman, was inspired after reading in an American newspaper about the gardeners' Chelsea Flower Show success. "About three years ago, the prison was contacted about it, but until we heard the film was to be released we hadn't really heard anything for two years," added Mr Booty. He explained that bosses at Leyhill, before he was appointed, provided advice on how the scripts for the film should be put together. Gold award Mr Booty also said the film's release highlighted the good news of Leyhill's gold award at last year's Chelsea event and a silver this year. "The prisoners here who were most interested in the film were those who were involved in this year's entry at the Chelsea Flower Show. "It's theme was an idea based on the biodome Eden Project in Cornwall," said Mr Booty. "It's a very interesting and enjoyable film and I hope to goes on to be a success." | | Internet links:  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Film stories now:  Links to more Film stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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