Shoebox Films

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Benedict Cumberbatch, as Louis Wain, stands on a pebble beach, wearing sunglasses and looking off into the distance with a row of colourful houses in the distance. Cumberbatch, dressed in white trousers, navy blazer and blue and white striped t-shirt stands to the left with three women sitting on wooden stools with wooden easels in front of them to the right of the frame.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Stacy Martin, Sharon Rooney and Aimee Lou Wood in The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022) on Walmer Beach, Deal © StudioCanal

Writer: Will Sharpe, Simon Stephenson
Director: Will Sharpe
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Andrea Riseborough, Aimee Lou Wood, Toby Jones
Production Company: Amazon Studios, Film4, Shoebox Films, StudioCanal, SunnyMarch
Kent Locations Used: Botany Bay, Kingsgate Bay, Deal, Walmer, Kingsdown Leas

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2022) is a biopic of the English painter who rose to fame at the end of the 19th century. Known for his unique paintings of anthropomorphised cats, Wain suffered from poor mental health in his later years and was hospitalised when his family could no longer care for him.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange, Sherlock) stars as the titular character Louis Wain, with Claire Foy (The Crown (2016 – 2023), A Very British Scandal (2021)) portraying the love of his life, Emily. The film also features Andrea Riseborough (Luxor, The Grudge), Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education (2021)), Toby Jones (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Christopher Robin) and Sharon Rooney (My Mad Fat Diary, The Tunnel: Vengeance (2017)). The film was written and directed by Will Sharpe (Defending the Guilty, Flowers) alongside writer Simon Stephenson (Eleventh Hour, Paddington 2).

Various scenes were shot on the Kent coast, including at Botany Bay and Kingsgate Bay in Thanet, Kingsdown Leas, Deal seafront and the Coast House B&B in Walmer, Deal.

Botany Bay in Thanet is a popular filming location in Kent. The sandy bay is set against a beautiful white cliff backdrop which is popular with tourists. Previous productions to have made use of this stunning location include Sulphur and White (2020) and Series 2 of Humans (2016).

Kingsgate Bay is a small sandy bay surrounded by chalk cliffs that connects at low tide through Whiteness cliff arch to Botany Bay. The Victorian Kingsgate Castle is perched on top of the sea defences; it has since been turned into private residences. Other productions to have filmed at Kingsgate Bay include True Things (2022), Mr Selfridge (2013-2016), and Bhikari (2017).

Deal is a town on the south coast of Kent with a long naval history as one of the major Cinque Ports. Deal’s seafront has a large green, promenade, small fishing fleet, huts, sailing boats, lifeboat station as well as an extensive pebble beach. Liar Series 1 & 2 (2017 – 2020) and Baptiste (2019) both recently filmed here.

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain was released in UK cinemas on Saturday 1st January 2022.

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

Redemption (2013)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Hummingbrid Film Poster - actor in a tux in front of city lights at night, Hummingbird is written in neon blue lights

Redemption (Hummingbird) Film Poster © Lionsgate/IM Global

 

Director and writer: Steven Knight

Starring: Jason Statham, Agata Buzek, Benedict Wong, Vicky McClure

Production Company: IM Global, Shoebox Films

Kent Locations: Dartford Crossing – QEII Bridge

Redemption is an action thriller film about ex-Special Forces officer Joey (Jason Statham) who returns to London from the Afghan war and finds himself homeless. After assuming another man’s identity and becoming lost in alcohol, drugs and criminality, Joey tries to turn his life around with the help of a nun, Sister Cristina (Agata Buzek).

The film is directed and written by Steven Knight (Locke, Peaky Blinders) and stars Jason Statham (Snatch, Crank), Agata Buzek (Valerie, Lena), Benedict Wong (Prometheus, The Martian) and Vicky McClure (Broadchurch, This Is England).

The Dartford Crossing – QEII Bridge features in Redemption twice – when Joey drives a van across the bridge and when a lorry approaches the toll.

Dartford is a historic town situated close to London and home to one of Europe’s largest shopping centres. The area has previously been used as a film location by Children in Need – The Rickshaw Challenge (2015), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Wasp (2003).

Redemption was released in cinemas in June 2013 and is now available for DVD purchase.

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