short film

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 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One (2010).

 

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

O Dreamland (1953)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Dreamland entrance, with amusements at the front and Dreamland written down the side of the building

Dreamland © Markus Kellmann

Director: Lindsay Anderson
Kent Locations Used: Dreamland

O Dreamland (1953) is a short documentary film made in 1953 by just the director Lindsay Anderson (If…, Britannia Hospital) and a cameraman and is about amusement park Dreamland in Margate.

The film takes the audience on a tour of Dreamland in Margate and its various attractions such as bingo, arcades, rides, café and mechanical puppets set to background noise and music.

The 12 minute film was made with basic equipment – a single camera and an audiotape recorder and after completion it was shelved and likely never to be shown however Anderson decided to screen the film as part of the Free Cinema programme.

Dreamland had been closed since 2006 but there was a redevelopment of the site. It re-opened to the public in June 2015.

Margate is a delightful seaside town with a sandy beach, harbour, arcades, galleries and period housing. Margate has become a popular location having previously welcomed productions such as Sky Atlantic drama The Tunnel (2012), BBC One’s improvised drama True Love (2012) and feature film Last Orders (2002).

O Dreamland (1953) was released in 1953 and is currently available to stream for free on BFI Player.

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