Omid Djalili's next film really chimes...
Comic stars in Simon Callow's About A Bell
Omid Djalili has made a new film in which he plays a Syrian refugee upset by the demolition of a former parish church.
About A Bell has been directed by actor Simon Callow and is to be offered for international sale at the forthcoming Cannes film festival.
The cast also includes Eleanor Worthington-Cox as a young librarian who helps him research local history and save the church bell, as well as Christopher Eccleston, Nigel Havers and Roger Allam.
The plot takes a turn when Djalili and Worthington-Cox’s characters accidentally injure a security guard and find themselves on the run from the police. However, our accidental heroes’ fate is sealed by a kindly police sergeant who is moved by their mission…
Now in post-production, the film was written by Derek Lister and is produced by Jasper Warry of Wales-based Hello Deer Studios, who told Screen Daily: ‘I think this film will resonate with an international audience who are desperate to be entertained, but also to be reminded right now of our shared and innate decency and humanity.’
Djalili, who is also a co-producer of the film, added: ‘There is no doubt about the international appeal of About A Bell as it deeply resonates on so many levels regarding who we are as a species.’
It is Callow’s second feature as director, after 1991’s The Ballad Of The Sad Café.
Kaleidoscope Film Distribution has picked up the film for international sales.
Published: 7 May 2026
The BBC has renewed its commitment to finding new comedy…
25/04/2007
Ricky Gervais has put up a £1,000 reward to find a…
23/02/2007
Paul Whitehouse and Harry Enfield are to be reunited…
7/12/2006
The rebirth of Amnesty International's legendary Secret…
4/12/2006
Former heroin junkie Russell Brand has landed a role…
15/11/2006
Omid Djalili, Jason Byrne and Ken Dodd are the comedians…
8/11/2006
OMID DJALILI has announced a new run of dates for his…
2/11/2006
The line-up for this year’s Secret Policeman’s…
16/09/2006
Only Fools and Horses actor Nicholas Lyndhurst is to…
2/08/2006
Omid Djalili is to star in his own BBC One sketch and…
17/07/2006
Johnny Vegas is to play a fireman in a new sitcom currently…
17/07/2006
Products
Book (2014)
Hopeless, by Omid Djalili
DVD (2012)
Omid Djalili: Tour Of Duty
DVD (2011)
Barking
DVD (2011)
Big Fat Gypsy Gangster
DVD (2010)
The Infidel
DVD (2009)
Omid Djalili: Live In London
DVD (2009)
Omid Djalili Show Series 2
DVD (2007)
Omid Djalili: No Agenda
DVD (2006)
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Past Shows
Edinburgh Fringe 2002
Omid Djalili at the Queen's Hall
Omid Djalili: Behind Enemy Lines Perrier nominee
Agent
Bound & Gagged Comedy
Contact by email
Office: 020 8450 4100