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A Salt Lake City-based motion-picture production company puts its toe in the water today with "Alan and Naomi," a new film set in New York during World War II.
Based on the novel of the same name by Myron Levoy, the film tells of the catastrophic effects of Nazi Germany on the fragile psyche of a young Jewish girl, and of a boy who tries to help her heal.
"Alan and Naomi" is the first project by Leucadia Film Corp., a company formed two years ago by producers Sterling VanWagenen and David Anderson and entrepreneur Ian Cumming. Their first effort will open in 100 theaters in 19 cities across the United States.
Eventually Leucadia hopes to produce three to five films a year, all with modest budgets and aimed at a family audience. Among the projects in various stages of development are an adaptation of a book by young-adult author Gary Paulsen and a screenplay by Salt Lake City playwright Nancy Borgenicht.
"Some of our films would be in the $10 million to $12 million range, and some in the $2 million to $3 million range," said Mr. Anderson. "Alan and Naomi" was produced for under $3 million.
Both Mr. Anderson, who produced "Alan and Naomi," and Mr. VanWagenen, the film's director, admit that the term "family film" carries undesirable connotations. Through films like "Alan and Naomi," they hope to change those perceptions.
"The...