Gypo (2006)

Posted on February 4, 2006 by Kent Film Office

an actor leaping off a concrete structure into the air

The Leap © Medb Films

Writer/Director: Jan Dunn

Producer: Elaine Wickham

Production Company: Medb Films, British Broadcasting Corporation, Distant Eye Films, Molinare Studio, Spotty Dog Films, VMI

Starring: Pauline McLynn, Chloe Sirene, Paul McGann, Rula Lenska

Kent Filming Locations: East Kent College, Kingsgate Bay, Margate, Pegwell Bay, Port of Ramsgate, Ramsgate, Royal Harbour Hotel and the Wig & Pen pub

Gypo is a 2005 feature length film follows the breakup of a working class family when their teenage daughter befriends a Romany Czech refugee. Gypo told in three revelatory narratives, each from a particular character’s point of view, reveals how the disintegration of an ordinary working class family finally comes to a head when unexpected emotions are unleashed. An innovative, gripping and engaging journey into the heart of a dysfunctional British family on the Kent coast, Gypo reveals how suburban fears and tabloid sensationalism have come to perpetuate the myths surrounding refugees.

Jan Dunn (The Calling, Ruby Blue) directs and writes the screenplay to her debut feature length film. Pauline Mclynn (Father Ted, Eastenders, Angela’s Ashes) stars as Helen with a supporting cast including, Chloe Sirene (United 93, The Calling, Ruby Blue), Paul McGann (Alien 3, Withnail & I, Queen and the Damned).

The production filmed at a variety of locations in Thanet including East Kent College, Kingsgate Bay, Margate, Pegwell Bay, Port of Ramsgate, Ramsgate, Royal Harbour Hotel and the Wig & Pen pub.

Chloe Sirene and Freddie Connor running along Ramsgate Harbour In Gypo 2005 © Medb Films

Director Jan Dunn and Gypo Crew at Ramsgate Harbour © Medb Films

The Thanet area is made up of the towns Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, and boasts beautiful sandy beaches and busy vibrant towns. The area has been featured on screen in productions including The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016), The Lady in the Van (2015) and Top Dog Model (2012) .

Since their success with GYPO, Elaine Wickham and Jan Dunn, the team behind Medb Films have made a second feature set in East Kent, RUBY BLUE starring Bob Hoskins, as well as a short, MY MOTHER, both currently in post-production.

The film was released in November 2005 and is now available for DVD release.

With thanks to Jan Dunn and Elaine Wickham from Medb Films for the photos

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

Last Resort (2000)

Posted on March 17, 2000 by Kent Film Office

Last Resort dvd cover- a family standing against a blue cladded wall- the women is stood to the left with her arm around the boy in the middle, the man is to the right with his hands in his pockets. Last Resort is written in white

Last Resort © BBC

Starring: Dina Korzun, Paddy Considine, Artyom Strelnikov, Adrian Scarborough

Production Company: BBC

Kent locations used: Margate

In director Pawel Pawlikowski’s debut feature film, a young Russian woman named Tanya (Dina Korzun) travels to the UK with her son, hoping to begin a new life with her fiancé. On arrival, airport security immediately question her intentions and feeling trapped, Tanya makes a rash decision to apply for political asylum. While their claim is considered, the pair are taken to the fictional seaside town of Stonehaven. Unable to get hold of her fiancé, Tanya has to face the reality that returning home isn’t going to be a quick or easy process and turns to arcade worker Alfie (Paddy Considine) for help.

The film stars Dina Korzun, (Cold Souls, Forty shades of Blue), Paddy Considine (Hot Fuzz, Submarine), Artyom Strelnikov (Russian Ark), Adrian Scarborough (Les Misérables, The Kings Speech) and Bruce Byron (The Bill, The Mummy Returns).

Margate, in Thanet doubled as the fictional seaside town of Stonehaven, and was the setting for the majority of the film. Margate has always been a popular destination for tourists who are attracted to its beautiful beaches, harbour, arcades, and historic architecture. The town has previously welcomed programmes such as Edge of Heaven (2014) and Only Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys Outing (1989).

Last Resort was first released in cinemas on 22^nd August 2000 and is now available to buy on DVD

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

The Black Windmill (1974)

Posted on August 2, 1974 by Kent Film Office

Production poster- Michael Cane with his hands on his stomach in front of a purple background, Michael Cane The Black Windmill written in white

Director: Don Siegel
Writer: Leigh Vance (screenplay), Clive Egleton (novel)
Starring: Michael Caine, Donald Pleasence, Delphine Seyrig
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Kent Locations Used: Ramsgate Hover port, Pegwell Bay

The Black Windmill (1974) is a thriller about British agent Tarrant (Michael Caine) whose son has been kidnapped and is being held ransom for diamonds. Tarrant finds out that the people he thought he could trust are no longer on his side to help his son and desperately works to do all he can to get him home safely.

The screenplay was adapted by Leigh Vance (The Saint – Season 5 (1967), Switch), based on Clive Egleton‘s novel, ‘Seven Days to a Killing’.

The film is directed by Don Siegel (Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz) with Michael Caine (Battle of Britain (1969), Last Orders (2002)) taking the lead role along Donald Pleasence (Halloween, The Great Escape) and Delphine Seyrig (The Day of the Jackal, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles).

The production visited Ramsgate Hover port at Pegwell Bay to film the scene where Tarrant makes his way across the channel and sneaks onto a bus on board the hovercraft.

Formerly the home of Ramsgate Hover Port, Pegwell Bay is now a National Nature Reserve offering distinctive sea cliffs, parking, toilets, a cafe/restaurant and picnic areas.

The Thanet area has featured in a variety of productions such as EastEnders (2015), True Love (2012) and The Big Sleep (1978).

The Black Windmill (1974) was released on Friday 2^nd of August 1974 and is now available on DVD and online.

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

Kent's Premier Film Commission