In the mid-1980s, when I co-produced My Beautiful Laundrette and Eric produced Sid and Nancy, I doubt if either of us thought we would still be around in the film business in a year's time, let alone twenty. In an attempt to mark this time and as a tribute to all those who have built Working Title we decided to publish this book of images and anecdotes from two decades of our movies.

For nearly twenty years, Working Title Films has masterminded some of the most memorable films of recent times. Whether launching new stars or attracting A-list Hollywood talent, the company has produced a huge number of commercial and critical successes, including the ground-breaking My Beautiful Laundrette, the phenomenally successful Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones"s Diary and Billy Elliot as well as the Oscar winning films Dead Man Walking, Fargo and Elizabeth.

Laundrettes and Lovers is a celebration of cinema,featuring rare, on-set photography from a selection of the Working Title Films catalogue across the years. With illuminating interviews and comment by Co-Chairmen Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner and specially written pieces from actors, writers,directors and behind-the-scenes creatives, including Hugh Grant, Cate Blanchett, Richard Curtis,Stephen Frears, Tim Robbins and the Coen Brothers, the book is a unique chronicle of a British film company at work.

The result is a breathtaking montage of modern movie-making and a definitive companion to this exciting company"s cinematic achievements.

INTRODUCTION-TIM BEVAN

1980s

WORKING TITLE FILMS-THE EARLY YEARS

My Beautiful laundrette to The Tall Guy

INITIAL FILMS

Sid and Nancy to Kiss Before Dying

1990s

WORKING TITLE FILMS-THE POLYGRAM YEARS

Edward 2 to Notting Hill

2000 onwards

WORKING TITLE FILMS-THE PRESENT

Billy Elliot to Thunderbirds

EPILOGUE-ERIC FELLNER