Star of 12 Years A Slave movie debut shot in Wandsworth

5:30am Wednesday 15th January 2014 in News

By Jamie Henderson, Chief Reporter

Labour councillor Simon Hogg tweeted a photo from the film on Tuesday morning.

Despite winning a Golden Globe and being hotly-tipped for an Oscar next month Chiwetel Ejiofor’s screen debut was actually filmed in Wandsworth Town Hall.

The 12 Years a Slave actor starred in 2002’s Dirty Pretty Things, directed by Stephen Frears, which follows two immigrants in central London.

Although the majority of the film was shot in central London several parts, including the lavish lobby scenes featuring Ejiofor and co-star Audrey Tautou, were shot in the main lobby in the Town Hall.

Labour councillor Simon Hogg tweeted a photo from the film on Tuesday morning.

A spokesman for Wandsworth Council said: “A film company fitted out the marble hall entrance to the Town Hall to look like a hotel lobby for the film.”

In his latest film Ejiofor, who is up for a Best Actor gong at next month’s Oscars ceremony, plays Soloman Northup – a freeborn man who is sold back into the slave trade.

A report last year suggested that one in every ten film projects shot on location in London takes place in the Wandsworth area – making it the third most popular borough for filming.

Scenes from A Clockwork Orange, The Dark Knight, The Iron Lady and The King’s Speech have also been filmed in Wandsworth.

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Horror fans treated to day of ‘dreadful’ delights at Bournemouth pub

4:00pm Monday 20th January 2014 in News

By Darren Slade, Chief Reporter

DREADFUL DELIGHTS: Actress Caroline Munro, right, with exhibitor Sarah Scandel at the one-day horror event

FANS of horror were treated to a day of dreadful delights at a Bournemouth pub yesterday.

Famous names from scary movies shared their stories with wide-eyed residents at The Cinema Surgery Horror Spectacular held at the Winchester on Poole Hill.

Horror movie stars Caroline Munro, Damien Thomas and Emily Booth were on hand to meet thrilled fans and sell autographs at a TV and movie fair, while two of Caroline’s films were shown later on.

Star of Dracula AD 1972, Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter and Slaughterhouse High, Caroline said she loved meeting the fans.

“It makes everything I’ve done for the last 40 years seem all right.

“When times have been very difficult and I haven’t been working, it confirms that I did the right thing for me and people enjoy the work.”

She said she enjoyed being surprised by fans’ questions and found they knew more about her than she did.

Damien Thomas from North Dorset, who played Count Karnstein in the 1971 Hammer vampire film Twins of Evil, said he was happy to be at the event and had enjoyed his time with Hammer Films.

Among the visitors was B Jones, one of the organisers of the SF Ball, which is being held at Bournemouth’s Carrington House Hotel from February 7 to 9.

She said the celebrity guests were easy to chat to.

“These guys make it easy just to go up and say ‘I’m a big fan of yours and I really liked you in X’,” she said.

The event was organised by unemployed Gary Baxter, who was given the use of the pub for free. He has been speaking to a mentor at the Job Centre about setting up in the horror business.

“It would be nice to have a shop and an online business as well as going to other people’s events and having our own events,” he said.

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Review: Iceland

4:07pm Monday 20th January 2014 in News

The aurora borealis is a beautiful sight. Below: Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital

MY desire to see the Northern Lights has taken me to the Arctic Circle twice.

And while I have yet to witness the phenomenon of the aurora borealis, described as one of Mother Nature’s masterpieces, I have now experienced the unique environment of Iceland, a place that spans two continents, where the elements are harsh yet captivating, natural yet surreal.

Until recently, Iceland was not a typical holiday destination or a city break attraction. Now tourism on this breathtaking island is growing fast.

The country has been catapulted on the world stage in recent years with the financial crisis and the volcanic ash cloud responsible for causing air travel chaos — but which also alerted the world to this country’s extreme unique environment, bringing a fresh intrigue to the natural beauty of this relatively little known land.

Until now, I was under the popular misapprehension that Iceland was a hard to reach place. In fact, it is only around two-and-half hours away from Manchester with no time difference, making it a great place for a weekend city break to get a flavour of the place or a longer holiday to explore its unforgettable natural wonders, which will inevitably draw you back.

Highlights include the almost fantastical Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, an ideal place to stop and enjoy a pampering on the way from the airport before reaching the hotel. With minus temperatures outside, soaking in a hot mineral bath inside the Blue Lagoon is an experience like no other. It feels stunningly magical and is amazing for the skin, with some in our group saying it helped alleviate their skin complaints.

I decided to stay and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the hot springs, including the most unusual massage that takes place in the lagoon, while others in our party went to explore the surrounding intriguing landscape by quad bike.

The Northern Lights may have remained elusive this time, but there was plenty of other natural splendours to see — the raw, volcanic landscape, geysers and waterfalls, which showed the influence of the island’s underlying molten magma. We also enjoyed the peace, space and atmosphere, which continues on into the night with the clearest skies you will ever see. Known as the Golden Circle, it is a place where you don’t sleep with the curtains closed. Civilisation is found in Reykjavik, where food and culture can be enjoyed in equal measures together with warm Scandinavian hospitality.

You could try shark, although I think it’s most definitely an acquired taste, or the fabulous tapas restaurant overlooking the harbour. The market offers more delicacies ranging from the delicious to the strange. This most beautiful city has plenty of bars — including one owned by the lead singer of Blur — and is perfect for a weekend with friends or as a romantic getaway. Or, coupled with the trips to other parts of Iceland, it would make a great place to end a family holiday.

One must on your itinerary is Hallgrímskirkja church with its iconic 73m tower. The largest church in Iceland, it was completed in 1986 and its design is said to have been based on the lava flows of the country’s landscape.

Iceland is fast being recognised as the go-to location for directors looking for a visual feast of stunning backdrops and diverse scenery. The Game of Thrones TV series has been filmed here as have movies Thor 2: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, while other locations such as Stykkishólmur in the Westfjords to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, are in great demand.

Ben Stiller, star of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, said recently: “Iceland is a very special place. There is something about the landscape, the quality of the light and the energy of the place that makes it like no other.

“To be there every day and experience the extreme weather changes was really invigorating. Pretty much every time I watch the movie I want to go back.”

And that’s the key thing you need to know about Iceland — it’s a place that you don’t visit just once.

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Frank Sidebottom-inspired movie to be released

6:10am Thursday 16th January 2014 in News

By Rick Bowen

The much loved and much missed Frank Sidebottom

HIS statue stands in the heart of his beloved Timperley Village – and now Frank Sidebottom has inspired a movie.

The film Frank is to be released on May 2 and has been co-written by Jon Ronson, who played keyboards in the band once fronted by the much-loved comedy character.

Speaking on the social networking website Twitter, the journalist and broadcaster described the project as ‘a fictional story inspired by great outsider musicians like Frank Sidebottom and Captain Beefheart’.

Michael Fassbender will be slipping on the famous papier-mache head to play Frank, and he can currently be seen as slave master Edwin Epps in the film 12 Years A Slave.

Cllr Neil Taylor, a leading member of the fundraising campaign to build a state in memory of Frank Sidebottom, said he welcomed news of the film’s release.

Neil said “It’s great news that the film Frank has been finished, and I am very much looking forward to seeing it very soon. The Film is based on the character Frank Sidebottom, and has been filmed in Mexico, and Dublin.

“When people look in to who Frank Sidebottom was, Timperley will come onto the global map. I know that the bronze statue in Timperley Village is already bringing in visitors from near and wide.”

Frank Sidebottom was a character created by Chris Sievey, who died of cancer in 2010 at the age of 54.

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Devizes festival to showcase movie talents

9:11am Monday 18th November 2013 in News

By Lewis Cowen

Film makers from all over Wiltshire are being invited to submit their work for the first Devizes Film Festival, which will take place next June.

It is being organised in conjunction with Devizes Festival.

One of the organisers, Paul Chapman, said: “The festival will be the new event at which filmmakers of Wiltshire can exhibit their work. We have two screenings – for under-17s and for filmmakers 17 years and over.

“There are two categories – fiction and non-fiction.

“We want to encourage filmmakers to produce documentaries, music videos, dramas, animations, anything that inspires.

“We want a wide variety of filmmakers to submit their ten-minute films to be shown at the festival and we want each film to be unique and exciting. We want to encourage creativity and collaboration between artists. One of our main aims is to get people talking about their projects and to be proud to show them off.

“In Wiltshire we have a rich source of material to document, from local music to amazing characters, to the abundant supply of weird and wonderful stories, to name but a few. Why not capture some of them on film?”

For details on how to enter, visit www.devizesfilmfestival.co.uk Mr Chapman said: “You can also join our online community on Facebook. We will be hosting a QA event early next year, but if you have any questions or if you just want to get in touch then please email us at devizesfilm festival@gmail.com

The Devizes Film Festival will be made great by the filmmakers of Wiltshire.

“The only thing that counts on the night is your film. Be proud and produce the best.”

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York teenager James Fox in running for Hollywood movie

8:46am Tuesday 21st January 2014 in News

By Kate Liptrot, kate.liptrot@thepress.co.uk

James Fox

A YORK schoolboy is waiting to hear if he is in the running to appear in a major Hollywood film.

Manor CE Academy pupil James Fox was last week invited to St Albans for an audition where he performed a character script for a Warner Brothers film.

The 14-year-old now faces a nail-biting few weeks to see if he has progressed to the next round casting for the film, the name of which is a secret, but is understood to be based on a children’s story.

James landed the audition after being picked up by a London talent agency through his York theatre school, Razzamataz.

His mum, Lindy, said: “He is quite modest about it and hasn’t told many people, but secretly he is quite excited about it. He is looking forward to the possibility he could do something as high-profile as this.

“His friends at Razzamataz are over the moon for him.

“He said the audition went okay and they said he rehearsed well.”

The casting call was the first audition James has landed through talent agency Top Talent.

Mrs Fox said: “He didn’t start with anything small, it was straight in there with a Hollywood film.”

Before James headed off to his audition, he was given a send-off by students and teachers and presented with a “Break A Leg” card.

Angela Pickup, principal of Razzamataz, said: “I’m delighted that out students’ talent is recognised not only in York, but within the industry in general.”

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Lakeland filmmakers need backing for new production

8:00am Sunday 12th January 2014 in News

By Adrian Mullen, Arts correspondent

FILM fans are being giving the chance to turn a unique story into a finished movie.

Local director Karen Guthrie’s new film, The Closer We Get, allows viewers to witness the intimacy of a family – her own. As the main characters live through the aftermath of her mother Ann’s stroke, what family members know about each other and themselves radically changes, with the stroke becoming a life-raft for the entire family.

Shot over two and a half years, Karen has put the film together with long-term collaborator Nina Pope as co-producer and director of photography.

Now beginning its editing stage, Karen and Nina are inviting those who may have experienced any of the issues in the film to help turn the raw footage into a finished film. Using crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, they have until January 18 to raise the £15,000 needed to bring the compelling story to fruition. To date 135 people have already backed the project.

Karen and Nina are offering a range of ‘benefits’ to anyone who donates directly to the production’s costs, from online access to the final film, to meeting the filmmakers, enjoying a month of baking from Ann’s own recipe archive or holidaying in a Lake District woodland hideaway where much of The Closer We Get was written.

Karen’s moving portrayal of her parents gives a glimpse into lives many may recognise in their own families – illness, death, insecurities and the love and duty that holds families together. Karen shows these changes to the viewer at the time she learns of them – and changes her role from that of a dutiful daughter and filmmaker, to the conduit of the story. Karen questions all that she knows about where she comes from, as she learns of the true fallibility of her parents, and how this survives even the most devastating revelations.

Visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-closer-we-get.

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Hollywood star Brad Pitt returns to Bovingdon to continue filming new film Fury

5:20pm Monday 13th January 2014 in News

By Claire Maxwell, Reporter

Hollywood star Brad Pitt returns to Bovingdon

Brad Pitt has returned to Bovingdon to continue filming his latest movie after the Christmas break.

Residents might find themselves bumping into the Hollywood star in the coming weeks, while he continues shooting Fury, a Second World War film set to be released later this year, in Bovingdon Airfield.

The Hollywood star will be playing the part of a tank commander in the film, which also stars Transformers star, Shia LeBeouf.

A German village set has been created on the airfield.

The 50-year-old enjoyed a meal at The Bricklayers Arms in Flauden before Christmas.

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Police responding to reports of axe attack find young people making zombie film

5:16pm Friday 3rd January 2014 in News

By Emily Flanagan, Reporter

A zombie

POLICE armed response units called after an elderly resident reported an axe attack, found it was young people making a zombie film.

A full emergency response unit was sent to Tudor Court in Harrogate at 3.22pm today (Friday), after the elderly woman dialled 999 reporting what she thought was a bloody axe attack by a group of youths.

She reported there was one male lying on the ground covered in blood with three others standing around, one of whom appeared to be holding an axe outside the Prince of Wales Mansions apartments.

Ambulance, police and armed response units were dispatched to the luxury apartment block – where North Yorkshire’s most expensive ever apartment was recently sold for more than £1m.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said on arrival they could find no sign of the injured man or other members of the group and so began to conduct door-to-door enquiries and search nearby garages.

The young men, in their late teens, had been filming around the back of the flat, near some garages.

Eventually police knocked on the door of one house and were met by a teenager covered in fake blood, who said they had been trying to make a horror film.

He said: “At 4.05pm they found one of the youths and he confirmed they had been making a zombie film with what appeared to be fake blood.”

The armed response team was stood down.

A tweet from North Yorkshire Police Control Room, @NYPControl, about the incident has since been retweeted more than 150 times.

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Phoebe has starring role in Emmy-nominated film

5:30am Wednesday 15th January 2014 in News

By Marion Sauvebois

Phoebe Maddison, who was in a TV programme which has been nominated for a Emmy in the US

A NINE-year-old girl from Swindon will rub shoulders with the crème de la crème of international TV in New York after a documentary following her day-to-day struggle with diabetes was nominated for a prestigious Emmy Award.

Phoebe Maddison, of Groundwell West, will tread the red carpet accompanied by her father Antony with some of the most influential industry names worldwide at the second International Emmy Kids Awards on Monday, February 10.

The St Catherine’s Primary School pupil and member of Swindon Stage-coach was diagnosed with Type One diabetes at the age of four and featured in BAFTA-nominated Same But Different, a BBC Two programme exploring the lives of children suffering from a variety of conditions and disabilities.

The critically-acclaimed feature has now been tipped for one of the highest accolades in television.

Although Same But Different missed out on its Children’s BAFTA nomination, Phoebe hopes it will receive the recognition it deserves this time around.

“This might be our chance to win,” she said. “It’s been really and truly amazing to be nominated and to be part of this. I’ve been so lucky. I’m very excited because it inspired some people in America.”

The prospect of meeting some of her movie idols and following in the footsteps of some of Broadway’s giants will certainly make her short stay a memorable experience.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting all the famous people,” she added. “We will go round asking them for pictures. It will be such a big experience for me. I’m also going to have a tour of New York and see the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.”

Last year Eddie Izzard was among the many celebrity guests.

As a result of Type One diabetes, Phoebe’s body cannot regulate blood-glucose levels on its own. A pump had to be attached to her stomach to release insulin into her blood stream 24 hours a day. She must also monitor her sugar levels by pricking her finger and testing a blood sample before each meal.

Antony, 42, said: “Phoebe was a couple of years younger when she appeared in the film. “She did it to make children aware of her condition, educate them and show how she deals with the condition on a daily basis. “We are very proud of her. She was diagnosed when she was four and she has coped very well.”

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