Dice is a Canada and a British co-produced drama television miniseries which aired between November 12 and December 17, 2001. It was directed by Rachel Talalay and written by A. L. Kennedy and John Burnside, inspired by cult 70s novel "The Dice Man" by Luke Rhinehart.
Plot.
"Dice" tells the story of charismatic psychology teacher, Glenn Taylor, who manipulates people by teaching them how to live by the throw of a dice. When the small community is shattered by the death of student Sally Quine, Detective Patrick Styvesant finds himself drawn deeper into a bizarre world where decisions are ruled by the dice. As Taylor's influence over the community deepens, Patrick also has his own demons to contend with as he battles alcoholism and his repressed homosexuality, all of which make him a perfect target for Taylor.
Production.
"Dice" was co-produced by Cité-Amérique and Showcase Television in Canada and Box TV in the UK. The series was filmed in Montreal over 45 days from May to July 5, 2001. It was shot on Super 16 by DOP Jean-Pierre Trudel. The leading cast included British actors (Aidan Gillen from "Queer as Folk" and Gina McKee) as well as Canadian actors (Martin Cummins, Callum Keith Rennie, Brendan Fletcher, Mark McKinney, actor/jazz singer Dorothée Berryman, Gary Farmer), plus U.S. actor Fred Ward. The budget was $6 million.
A second six-hour season was planned to be filmed in the fall of 2002 but was never shot further to production issues.
Release.
Broadcast.
"Dice" debuted on The Movie Network in Eastern Canada and on Movie Central in Western Canada in November 2001, and was originally aired as a six-episode season.
Home Media.
"Dice" was released on DVD in 2007 by Digital Classics DVD as a 2 x 102 mins two-parter instead of the original 6 x 34 mins episodes.
Awards.
"Dice" was nominated twice at the 17th Gemini Awards: Best Dramatic Series (producers Lorraine Richard, Greg Dummett, Gub Neal) and Best Actor in a Drama (Martin Cummins).
References.
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