Polanski to direct Oliver

Director Roman Polanski has said his next film will be based on "Oliver Twist."

14:49 24 March 2004

Director Roman Polanski has said his next film will be based on "Oliver Twist."

"I was playing with my children and I realised that I would like to do a film for kids," Polanski said.

"I thought of books that I liked when I was little and remembered 'Oliver Twist,' which will be my next film."

The Oscar winner was speaking on Monday night at a theatre showing a retrospective of his work.

Shooting is set to begin in the Czech Republic at some point this year.

The screenplay for the adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic has been written by Ronald Harwood, who penned "The Pianist."

Polanski won an Oscar for the film, but was unable to collect it as he faces arrest if he returns to the United States, a result of 1977 charges of having unlawful sex with a minor.