Derek film locations

Derek (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office

 

L-R Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Kev (David Earl) on a pebbled beach with white cliffs behind

L-R Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Kev (David Earl) © Channel 4

Production company: Derek Productions Ltd

Kent Locations Used: Broadstairs, Dumpton Gap, Viking Bay

‘Derek’, written and directed by Ricky Gervais, is a comedy about ‘Derek Noakes’, a 49-year-old retirement home worker with the unique hobby of autograph hunting. A pilot episode was shown in April 2011 on Channel 4 and January 2013 sees the return of Derek in a full series.

Derek (Ricky Gervais) staring at the camera

Derek (Ricky Gervais) © Channel 4

Derek (Ricky Gervais) is a kind, simple and selfless man with good intentions who loves listening to the funny stories told to him by the people at the retirement home about the good old days. He also has close relationships with his co-workers Dougie (Karl Pilkington) and Hannah (Kerry Godliman) – expect lots of laughs!

The Derek production team visited many locations in Thanet back in September 2012, including Broadstairs, Victoria Gardens and Viking Bay, where they shot Derek taking his residents on a day trip to the beach.

Broadstairs is a coastal town in Thanet and has a sandy beach lined with traditional beach huts as well as a band stand and large Victorian terraces.  There is also a thriving high street and plenty of food and drink establishments. Previous visiting productions to the area included  True Love (2012), and The Fixer (2008).

The episode featuring Broadstairs, Victoria Gardens and Viking Bay is the fourth in the series and will be shown on Wednesday 20th February at ­­­­­­­­­­­­22:00 on Channel 4.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

 

DEREK (2008)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Tilda Swinton and Issac Julien behind a grey gravestone in a graveyard

Tilda Swinton and Issac Julien © JN Films

Director: Issac Julien

Production Company: Normal Films

Kent Locations: Dungeness, Prospect Cottage, St Clements Church, Old Romney

Drawing of Derek Jarman in black and white

Derek Jarman © Steve Pike & JN Films

Starring Tilda Swinton (The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, Michael Clayton) and directed by Issac Julien, DEREK explores the many faces of Derek Jarman and looks at his life as an artist and filmmaker. The film is based around previously unseen footage of an interview which was conducted with Jarman in 1991, which is interwoven with clips of his work including pop promos and feature films, as well as rare home movies depicting his family life.

In 2007, Tilda Swinton and Issac Julien visited Kent to film at Derek Jarman’s home ‘Prospect Cottage’ on the Dungeness estate. His garden, made from shingle, driftwood and other material salvaged from the beach, is much treasured and continues to attract both visitors and film crews alike.

Derek Jarman died in 1994 after a long battle with AIDS and he is now buried at St Clements Church in Old Romney.

DEREK was originally shown on More 4 as part of the Jarman Season and has garnered critical acclaim across the globe. This summer the documentary was shown at the Sundance Festival and at The Berlin Film Festival.

Dungeness is a unique coastal landscape with a shingle beach, two lighthouses and a power station. The area is a popular film location having previously been used for productions including Homes By The Sea (2014) and Parades End (2012).

Recently the documentary also received a nomination for Best Documentary at the British Independent Film Awards.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.