FILM BOSS REELS OVER CASH ROW; Scots movie to go abroad.

Byline: By Bob Dow 

AN ANGRY film director told last night how lack of support in Scotland has forced him to take a pounds 6million movie abroad.

Award-winning film-maker Lee Hutcheon wanted to base his new project, the story of legendary safecracker Johnny Ramensky, in his homeland.

But he will now split the filming between Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria.

Aberdeen-based Hutcheon, 32, said: "Scotland really has to look at why it has lost so many films in the past 20 years.

"There is a real lack of backing. I'm so down about this."

He added: "These other countries have shown such great enthusiasm and that is all I really wanted.

"Scotland has always been too busy squabbling with itself and getting nowhere. We are such a cynical nation about things like this."

One of Hutcheon's previous movies, In AMan's World, won the best feature drama award at the New York Independent Film Festival.

He said his new project, due to start filming next year, would have created work for 300 people in Scotland and places for 30 movie trainees.

A spokeswoman for funding body Scottish Screen denied Hutcheon's claims of lack of backing. She said the agency spent pounds 6million a year helping film and TV productions, but added: "Obviously, we cannot support every application."

Ramensky, known as Gentleman Johnny, was a hero to many in the 1930s for his daring escapes from jail. He later became a war hero, using his safe-breaking skills against the Nazis.

Robert Carlyle is rumoured to be on the shortlist to play him in the film.

CAPTION(S):

PROJECT: Hutcheon, left, is directing a film of Ramensky