Film Festival gives Newman's swan song a world premiere

London, October 6 : A wildlife documentary for which late Hollywood actor Paul Newman did the voiceover received its world premiere at the Dinard Film Festival in France.

Shot over a period of six months, the documentary was amongst the 40 British films screened at the event.

The legendary actor, who passed away last month aged 83 after battling with cancer, had narrated 'The Meerkats' at a studio near his Connecticut residence in late 2007.

"He gave us a wonderful recording," the BBC quoted its producer, Joe Oppenheimer, as telling them.

"He gave us his time freely and did exactly what was asked of him," he added.

The film's British director James Honeyborne, who believes the documentary to be one of Newman's final film credits, further said: "He was such a good director, that he knew exactly what was needed.

"He gives the film authority and credibility.

"We wanted a warm, storytelling, around-the-campfire tone, which is just what he gave us."

The BBC co-production, whose posters read as 'The Meerkats, as told by Paul Newman', tells of a family of meerkats battling for existence, and is expected to make its debut in UK cinemas next year.

ANI