The Good Night (2008)

Posted on January 2, 2008 by Kent Film Office

The Good Night Film Poster- Four character faces in a grid, all with sleep masks over their eyes. The Good night is written in the middle

The Good Night Film Poster © Momentum Pictures

Director/Writer: Jake Paltrow

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Martin Freeman, Penélope Cruz, Danny DeVito, Simon Pegg

Production Company: Good Night Productions, Inferno Distribution, Destination Films, Grosvenor Park Media, MHF Zweite Academy Film, Tempesta Films

Kent Filming Locations: Capel Manor House, Horsmonden

This romantic comedy, is the first movie written and directed by Jake Paltrow (Young Ones Boardwalk Empire) ,and is an adaptation of 2006 French film “La science des rêves”. The movie is set in London and New York, where a former pop star who now writes commercial jingles for a living, experiences a mid-life crisis.

The film stars the director’s sister Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man Series, Se7en) , as well as Penélope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Vanilla Sky) Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Hobbit), Danny DeVito (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, L.A. Confidential) and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz).

The dream sequences were filmed at Capel Manor House in Horsmonden, Kent. The house was built in 1970, on the site of the old Capel Manor, which had been well known as a residence of Jane Austen.

The Good Night was released in cinemas in January 2008 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

We’ve Got The Toaster (2006)

Posted on February 4, 2006 by Kent Film Office

Lance (Jamie Mander) sat on a step in school uniform staring at the pavement, the legs of another student can be seen next to him

Lance (Jamie Mander) © Toaster Productions

Writer/Director: Mike Laloe

Production Company: Toaster Productions

Kent Filming locations: Tunbridge Wells

We’ve Got The Toaster was made on a tiny budget and took over 3 years from beginning to premiere. The cast and crew was made up of over 100 people, the vast majority of whom were under 18 when they started working on the project. Many of them had never been on a film set before. But they all had one thing in common ” they knew what it felt like to be teenager.

In the definitively middle-class Royal Tunbridge Wells, 16 year old Lance (Jamie Mander) has been romantically obsessed with Steph (Emma Blake) ‘the fittest thing since sliced fit” for exactly 3 years, 11 months and 25 and a half days’. And he’s barely even spoken to her!

Filming taking place in a shop © Toaster Productions

Unable to approach Steph, but desperate for something to change, Lance faces his worst fear ” of holding ‘the worst party ever’ when his parents go away for the weekend. Enlisting his enigmatic, porn-addicted best mate Henry (Rob Smith) to help plan things, Lance tries to work out what to do when “You’ve got no girls, no idea and 24 hours to throw a party”.

“A huge-hearted comedy tour de force from a future master story-teller” – James Delow, Producer ‘That Film Show’ Rapture TV.

“A deeply amusing and I believe accurate portrayal of the teenage psyche” – Henry Thomas, former head of Universal Pictures, London.

“Packed with wit and canny observation of character. Laloe is something of a modern-day Hogarth, revealing our everyday absurdities in a hilarious but also intelligent way.” – Steve Gough, Award winning Writer/Director of ‘Elenya’ and ‘Heartland’ starring Anthony Hopkins.

Tunbridge Wells is a town in West Kent, home to a host of historic buildings, specialist shops, churches and a busy town centre. Productions which have previously filmed in the area include Britain’s Best Bakery (2012), Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip(2015) and Hunted (2012).

We’ve Got The Toaster premiered in Tunbridge Wells to an audience of 600 and was covered in a live report by the BBC that lasted for 4 minutes. The film was screened in independent cinemas in locations including London, Oxford and Brighton.

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

Vanity Fair (2005)

Posted on August 31, 2004 by Kent Film Office

Vanity Fair Film Poster- close up of reese witherspoon's face, with her hand covering her eyes. Vanity Fair written in white underneath

Vanity Fair Film Poster © Focus Features

Director: Mira Nair

Writer: William Makepeace Thackeray (screenplay) Matthew Faulk, Julian Fellowes, Mark Skeet (novel)

Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Rhys Ifans, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne

Production Company: Focus Features, Tempesta Films, Granada Film Productions, Inside Track Films, Mirabai Films, Cine Mosaic

Kent Filming Locations: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

The film, an adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray novel, follows the fortunes of Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon), an ambitious woman living in the 19^th century. An orphan, she leaves her home to become a governess and has a keen interest in advancing herself.

Constantly casting her eye over eligible men with handsome fortunes, her endeavours are constantly met with society’s disdain. The film follows her life over 20 years through her trials, wars and adventures. Becky is determined to make her way in the world and her determination results in some disastrous consequences for herself and others.

Mira Nair (New York, I Love You Monsoon Wedding) directs the film which is adapted by Matthew Faulk (Morlang, Hannibal), Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Gosford Park), Mark Skeet (Jason and the Argonauts, Hannibal).

Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line, Wild) stars alongside Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Match Point, Dracula), Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Amazing Spider-Man), Bob Hoskins (Snow White and the Huntsman, Hook), Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge!, Cloud Atlas) and Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, Ghost Ship).

The Historic Dockyard Chatham, offered up its Old Paint Store to the production, once again providing the perfect film location.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is set over 80 acres and contains over 100 Georgian and Victorian buildings. It is a popular filming location and has been used for productions such as Muppets Most Wanted (2014), Call the Midwife (2012-2014) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).

Vanity Fair was released in January 2005 in the UK and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

The Alan Clark Diaries (2004)

Posted on April 30, 2004 by Kent Film Office

Alan Clark walking under the gate at Saltwood Castle

Alan Clark (John Hurt) at Saltwood Castle © BBC

Directed by: Jon Jones

Written by: Alan Clark, Jon Jones

Starring: John Hurt, Jenny Agutter, Hugh Fraser, Nicholas Jones, Jeremy Clyde, Paul Brooke, Peter Blythe

Production Company: BBC

Kent Locations: Saltwood Castle, Hythe Beach

The Alan Clark Diaries is a 6 part BBC drama production, adapted from the bestselling diaries of late conservative MP Alan Clark. It gives a unique inside into the politicians mind, his controversial views and his dedication to the conservative party. It depicts the highs and lows of his career, as well as his unique relationship with his loyal wife Jane (Jenny Agutter), who tries her best to support him throughout his political life.

Starring John Hurt (Doctor Who, Hellboy Franchise) as Alan Clark alongside Jenny Agutter (Call the Midwife, The Avengers), Hugh Fraser (Agatha Christie: Poirot, 101 Dalmations), Nicholas Jones(Philomena , Hornblower: Mutiny), Jeremy Clyde (The Iron Lady), Paul Brooke(Bridget Jones’s Diary , The Phantom of the Opera)and Peter Blythe(Carrington).

Saltwood Castle featured as itself during the series after Clark’s widow, Jane, gave her support for the production and welcomed the team into her home. The castle remains owned by the Clark family, and is rarely opened to the public. However, it has previously hosted other productions such as My Week with Marilyn (2011), again due to a family connection.

Alan Clark often used to visit Hythe seafront and this is represented in the first episode of the series. Fisherman’s Beach in Hythe is a pebble beach with beautiful views, closely located to several cafés and tearooms, which are perfect for tourists.

The Alan Clark Diaries was first aired on the BBC in 2004 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

I Want You (1998)

Posted on September 21, 1998 by Kent Film Office

Dungeness estate houses with fields in front

I Want You Screenshot © Polygram Filmed Entertainment/Revolution Films

Director: Michael Winterbottom

Starring: Rachel Weisz, Alessandro Nivola, Luka Petrusic

Production Company: Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Revolution Films

Kent location used: Dungeness, Folkestone Harbour arm

I Want You is a film noir about a young boy, Honda (Luka Petrusic) and his sister Smokey (Labina Mitevska) who get drawn into the relentless pursuit of Helen (Rachel Weisz) by her former lover, Martin (Alessandro Nivola) after he is released from prison.

Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People, A Mighty Heart, The Killer Inside Me) directs and Oscar winning actress Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, About A Boy, Enemy at the Gates) stars alongside Alessandro Nivola (Face/Off, American Hustle, Jurassic Park III) and Luka Petrusic (Bumerang, Sorry for Kung Fu).

The production chose Dungeness as the coastal town in the film. The Folkestone Harbour arm is the location for Martin’s (Alessandro Nivola) argument with his colleague. Nearby Hastings was also used as a film location.

Dungeness is a large nature reserve in the Shepway district of Kent with a beautiful shingle beach, a mixture of old and modern homes, two lighthouses, a historic railway station and a Power Station. Dungeness is a popular film location previously been used by productions such as Ginger and Rosa (2012), The Inspector Lynley Mysteries – Natural Causes (2006) and The Garden (1990).

The town of Folkestone is in the Shepway district of Kent and has a harbour, beach, quaint streets and the Creative Quarter boasts many studios and galleries. The area has previously been used as a location for filming by productions such as The Tunnel (2013) and Is Anybody There? (2009).

I Want You was released in cinemas on 30^th October 1998 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

A Room With A View (1986)

Posted on April 5, 1986 by Kent Film Office

A Room with a View Movie Poster- Two characters on a balcony facing each other with rooftops behind them

Directed by: James Ivory

Produced by: Ismail Merchant

Starring: Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Judi Dench, Julian Sands, Daniel Day Lewis

Production Company: Goldcrest Films International, National Film Finance Corporation (NFFC), Curzon Film Distributors, Film Four International, Merchant Ivory Productions

Kent Filming Locations Used: Emmett’s Garden in Sevenoaks, Chiddingstone, Brasted.

Set in the early 1900’s, Lucy Honeychurch (Bonham Carter) embarks on her first trip to Florence chaperoned by her elderly spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith). When Lucy meets eccentric George Emerson (Julian Sands), Charlotte fears that the two young people are becoming a little too familiar and beats a hasty return to England.

Once home, Lucy begins a courtship with the stoic Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day Lewis), a far cry from the free spirited George. However Lucy soon finds herself torn between duty to her fiancé and her love for George, who miraculously appears in her life once more.

A beautiful and romantic social comedy, this Merchant Ivory film showed audiences the beauty of the Kent Countryside, as they filmed at a private residence in Brasted to double as the Honeychurch’s family home.

Owned by the National Trust, Emmett’s Garden in Sevenoaks became the venue for Lucy and Cecil’s engagement party in the film. A beautiful location, Emmett’s Garden was created in the late 19^th Century and contains many exotic and rare trees and shrubs from around the world.

Also in Sevenoaks, the village of Chiddingstone featured in the film as the setting for Lucy and Cecil’s post engagement-party walk. Owned entirely by the National Trust, it is the perfect example of a Tudor one-street village where approximately over 70% of the buildings are at least 200 years old. In the scene you can also see St Mary’s Church in Chiddingstone which was built in the 13^th Century.

Sevenoaks is also home to the historic Hever Castle, childhood home to Anne Boleyn. The castle has featured in a number of productions, namely Inkheart (2008), Lady Jane (1986) and Anne of a Thousand Days (1969).

A Room With A View was released in cinemas in April 1986 and is now available to buy on DVD.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission

Romance

The Good Night (2008)

We’ve Got The Toaster (2006)

Vanity Fair (2005)

The Alan Clark Diaries (2004)

I Want You (1998)