Theft of computers had threatened completion of film based around journalist and Tour de France
Following the theft of three laptops plus other equipment on day one of this year’s Tour de France, the makers of the planned Paul Kimmage Rough Rider documentary (pictured) have confirmed that they have been able to resume work on the project.
They appealed for assistance after their camper van was broken into and three MacBook Pro computers plus other items were taken. According to the film’s producer Tony Whelan, the response was very encouraging.
Initially the Garmin-Sharp team provided the use of machines with enabled the crew to transfer footage from the cameras to the backup drives. Whelan told VeloNation that since then, the three laptops that were taken have been replaced by computers on loan from Liam McGrath of Scratch Films, James Kirwan of Gecko Technologies and Rory Lorton of Wildfire Films.
In addition to that, the documentary makers also received a number queries from people asking how else they could support the Rough Rider film.
Whelan said that while the project receives backing from the Irish Film Board and RTE, it is ‘seriously underfunded’ and any offers of financial support will be greatly appreciated.
“We have been filming Paul for over a year culminating with three weeks of filming at the Tour de France,” he told VeloNation. “It's a very expensive undertaking.
“Any financial support will go directly into the making of the film which is scheduled for cinematic release later this year before broadcast on RTE in 2014.”
The project is named after Kimmage’s seminal 1990 book called A Rough Ride, which was one of the earliest works to frankly discuss the doping issue within the peloton. The former pro became a successful journalist and author after ended his cycling career early, and continues to write and ask questions about the sport today.
“Paul's is a complex tale which both the director Adrian McCarthy and I believe will make a challenging but rewarding documentary,” said Whelan.
Anyone wishing to contact the crew can do so via the email address Rory@wildfirefilms.net or on Twitter @roughrider2013.