Oscar

Wasp (2003)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Wasp - Zoe walking with her 4 children around an estate on a path

Wasp screenshot © Cowboy Films

Director/Writer: Andrea Arnold

Stars: Natalie Press, Danny Dyer

Production Company: FilmFour, UK Film Council, Cowboy Films

Kent Location Used: Dartford

Wasp is an inspiring short film, written and directed by Dartford born Andrea Arnold. Zoe, a single mother, is struggling to provide for her children in 21st century Britain. When her ex-boyfriend David asks her out, she pretends she is just babysitting her children and has to balance caring for them whilst trying to rekindle her relationship with David.

The 26 minute long film won an Oscar for best short film in 2005 and has won 22 other awards since 2003.

Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank, Red Road Red Road, Wuthering Heights) directed and wrote Wasp, which stars Natalie Press (My Summer of Love, Ill Manors, Fifty Dead Men Walking) and Danny Dyer (EastEnders, The Football Factory, The Business).

Zoe looking out of her window onto the estate- a block of flats and pylons can be seen

Wasp screenshot © Cowboy Films

The film is set on a housing estate in Dartford, overlooking the QEII Bridge and industrial areas along the Thames.

Dartford is a historic market town in North Kent with a rich industrial heritage and is near to one of the largest shopping centres in Europe and the high speed rail link at Ebbsfleet. The Dartford area has hosted filming from Who Do You Think You Are? (2014) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One (2010).

 

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

The Mission (1986)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
The Mission DVD cover- Robert De Niro standing on tree branches and rocks pointing a sword at the camera. The mission written in green.

The Mission DVD cover ©Columbia-Cannon-Warner

Director: Roland Joffe

Starring: Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson, Ronald Pickup, Aidan Quin

Production Company: Warner Bros., Goldcrest Films International, Kingsmere Productions Ltd., Enigma Productions, AMLF

Kent locations used:  Fort Amherst

Mendoza (Robert De Niro) holding Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons)up by the collar in confrontation

Mendoza (Robert De Niro) and Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) filming at Fort Amherst ©Columbia-Cannon-Warner

The Mission is an Oscar winning action film focused on the story of Rodrigo Mendoza (Robert De Niro), who after killing his brother, is given the chance by Father Gabriel (Jeremy Irons) to redeem his sins. They both travel to Brazil on a mission to bring Christianity to a native South American tribe. However, when the church comes under pressure from the Portuguese empire, they sell the land the mission is built on, putting its future in jeopardy.

The film features Oscar winners Robert De Niro (Taxi Diver, Mean strrets) and Jeremy Irons (Reversal of Fortune, Waterland). Also starring Liam Neeson(Non-Stop, Batman Begins), Ronald Pickup(Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time) and Aidan Quin(Legends of the Fall, Unknown).

The tunnels of Fort Amherst were used as part of the monastery where Mendoza (Robert De Niro) is being held after he murders his brother. Fort Amherst was originally built in 1755, containing a labyrinth of underground tunnels and hidden gun positions, to improve the defense of the River Medway. Fort Amherst has previously welcomed other productions such as Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Saint (1997).

The Mission first premiered in 1986 and is now available to buy on DVD.  

 

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

Anne of The Thousand Days (1969)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Anne standing by the fountain at Penshurst Place, Penshurst place can be seen in the background

Anne by the fountain at Penshurst Place © Universal Pictures

Director: Charles Jarrott
Writer:  Maxwell Anderson (Play), Bridget Boland, John Hale, Richard Sokolove
Starring: Richard Burton, Geneviève Bujold, Anthony Quayle, John Colicos, Irene Papas
Production Company: Hal Wallis Productions
Kent Locations Used:  Hever Castle, Penshurst Place
Geneviève Bujold as Anne walking down steps on a garden path, her hand is raised

Geneviève Bujold as Anne © Universal Pictures

Based on the Broadway play by Maxwell Anderson, Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) is an account of the rise and fall of the beautiful and ambitious Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold), second wife of the tyrannical Henry VIII (Richard Burton).

The film was nominated for 10 Oscars in 1970, including best picture and won best costume design.  It also won Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actress and Best Director.

Hever Castle was an obvious choice for Anne Boleyn’s home, as it was her real-life home. It was used for the scenes where King Henry VIII visits the Boleyn household to pursue Anne Boleyn.

The stunning Kentish scenery of both Hever Castle and Penshurst Place bought this Oscar winning tale to life with Hever Castle being an obvious choice to double as Anne Boleyn’s home, as it was her real-life home and was used for the scenes where King Henry VIII visits the Boleyn household to pursue Anne Boleyn. Hever Castle is now a visitor attraction and includes many 16th century Tudor portraits, furniture and tapestries. The castle also displays two prayer books, signed and inscribed by Anne Boleyn.  The castle has been used for other film projects such as Inkheart (2008), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and Lady Jane (1987).

Exteriors of Penshurst Place were used to double as the King’s court and the stunning formal Tudor gardens were used for the scenes where King Henry VIII is shooting targets when Anne Boleyn joins him as well as  where she announces her pregnancy. The Gardens, arranged into “garden rooms” each with a different style and character are also open to visitors between March and November. Penshurst Place has been seen on screen in projects such as The Hollow Crown – Henry V (2012) and Merlin (2008).

Anne of The Thousand Days also features in the Kent Film Office Tudor(ish) Trail which celebrates Kent’s Tudor history and film connections.

Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) was released on Wednesday 18th December 1969 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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