Una (2017)

Una (Rooney Mara) standing in warehouse looking forward

Una (C) WestEnd Films

Writer: David Harrower

Director: Benedict Andrews

Starring: Rooney Mara, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Tobias Menzies, Indira Varma, Tara Fitzgerald

Production Company: Bron Studios, Film4 Productions, Jean Doumanian Productions, WestEnd Films

Kent Locations Used: Dungeness, Greatstone, Lydd

Looking to resolve her past, Una (Rooney Mara) confronts Ray (Ben Mendelsohn ), her former neighbour, at his work place, seeking answers. As buried secrets and forbidden desires start to surface, they begin to threaten the stability they have found in their new lives.

Una (Rooney Mara) and Ray (Ben Mendelsohn) staring at each other

Una (C) WestEnd Films

The film is based on the play “Blackbird” that was written by David Harrower. Benedict Andrews (National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire) directed and Rooney Mara (A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Social Network) takes the lead role alongside  Riz Ahmed (Jason Bourne, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Ben Mendelsohn (The Dark Knight Rises, Bloodline) Tobias Menzies (Casino Royale, Atonement), Indira Varma (Game of Thrones, Hunted) and Tara Fitzgerald (Legend, Brassed Off).

The production chose to film in Kent in June 2015, using Dungeness, Greatstone and Lydd which feature as a remote hideaway location.

The Dungeness, Greatstone and Lydd coastal area boasts a unique and large expanse of sandy beach backed by dunes and the largest shingle desert in Europe. Ginger and Rosa (2012), The Poison Tree (2012) and Parade’s End (2012) have previously used the area for filming.

Una is released in cinemas from Friday 1st September 2017.

 

 

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


Dead and Awake (2016)

Dead and Awake film poster- three actors all staring at the camera, Dead and Awake written in orange at the bottom

Dead and Awake film poster © Alexander Fodor

Writer and Director: Alexander Fodor

Stars: Jason Wing, Funda Önal, Ryan Ebling

Production Companies: Dark Moon Filmworks, Zed Resistor Company

Kent Locations Used: St Augustine’s Priory, Ashford

Dead and Awake is a dark, sinister, psychological thriller about a group of people who have kidnapped a girl with paranormal powers, only to find themselves victims of mind control.

The film was written and directed by Alexander Fodor (Hamlet) and stars Jason Wing (The Antwerp Dolls), Funda Önal (Made in Chelsea, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and Ryan Ebling (Noah).

Dead and Awake was shot on location at St Augustine’s Priory at Ashford which is the country house featured throughout the film. The production also filmed in Essex.

St Augustine’s Priory is a 13th century priory and Edwardian country house in Ashford, surrounded by seven acres of beautiful gardens. The Ashford area has been used for filming by The Monuments Men (2014), Emma (2009) and the infamous Kentish series, The Darling Buds of May (1991 – 1993).

The film is released on Monday 12th September 2016 on Amazon for purchase.

 

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

 


Level Up (2016)

Level Up poster - animation of a man holding a gun with Level Up wirtten in red

Level Up poster © Fulwell 73, Independent, Quickfire Films

Writers: Adam Randall, Gary Young

Director: Adam Randall

Starring: Josh Bowman, Neil Maskell, William Houston, Leila Mimmack

Production Company: Fulwell 73, Independent, Quickfire Films

Kent Locations Used: The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Level Up is a thriller about Matt (Josh Bowman), a young, unambitious man whose world changes instantly when his girlfriend is kidnapped. Forced to make his way across an increasingly sinister London, Matt tries to save his girlfriend, but will he succeed?

Written by Gary Young (Harry Brown, Vera) and Adam Randall (iBoy, Hooded), who also directs, the film was produced by Danny Potts (Piggy, The Guvnors) and stars Josh Bowman (Revenge, Prowl), Neil Maskell (Humans, The Football Factory), William Houston (Sherlock Holmes, Clash of the Titans), Leila Mimmack (Home Fires, High-Rise) and Christina Wolfe (Need for Speed, Fury).

The production largely filmed in London but also visited The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent where they used a warehouse in the ropery for the final scenes of the film where Matt (Josh Bowman) looks for his girlfriend.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a 17th century dockyard set over 80 acres with more than 100 period buildings, dry docks, submarines and period streets.One of Kent’s most popular film locations, The Historic Dockyard Chatham has previously featured in Rustom (2016), Mr Turner (2014) and Oliver Twist (2007).

Level Up is available on DVD and online download.

 

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

 


Road Games (2016)

field full of hay barrels, a yellow car is in the centre with two people running into the distance

Road Games © February Films

 

Writer and Director: Abner Pastoll

Stars: Andrew Simpson, Joséphine de La Baume, Barbara Crampton, Frédéric Pierrot

Production Companies: February Films, Superbe Films, Trigger Films

Kent Locations Used: St Clere Estate, Markbeech, Castle Farm, Falconhurst and Kemsing roads

Road Games is a psychological thriller set during an idyllic summer in France where drifters Jack (Andrew Simpson) and Véronique (Joséphine de La Baume) hook up and hit the road. Hitchhiking a lift from a local oddball, who takes them home to his wife, where they suddenly find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse..

The film was written and directed by Abner Pastoll (Me or the Dog, A Great Mistake) and stars Andrew Simpson (The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby, Notes on a Scandal), Joséphine de La Baume (Rush, One Day), Barbara Crampton (The Young and the Restless, We Are Still Here) and Frédéric Pierrot (Young & Beautiful, Polisse).

The Anglo-French co-production filmed in Kent for around 4 weeks in July and August 2014 using St Clere Estate, Markbeech, Castle FarmFalconhurst and Kemsing roads, doubling as France.

 

St Clere Estate is set across 2,800 acres of the rolling Kent countryside, offering stunning views of the North Downs. The house itself was built in 1630 and has some fine architectural examples of the Caroline era. St Clere Estate has been previously featured on screen in The Mirror Crack’d (1980).

Falconhurst is a 700 acre country estate just 45 minutes to central London. The location boasts farmland, woods, private roads, farmhouses and cottages. Falconhurst has been used for filming by a variety of projects including short films and photo shoots.

Castle Farm is a farm in Sevenoaks with a timber-framed farmhouse and oast surrounded by stunning lavender fields, pasture, woodland, stream, farm shop, barns and outbuildings. The site has been used for filming by De De Pyaar De (2019)  and various photoshoots.

Road Games​ has its UK theatrical premiere on Friday 26th August and will be available on demand and DVD release from Monday 29th August 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI8guzFYSPI%20

 

 

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

 


The Tunnel: Sabotage (2016)

Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy walking along a beach towards the camera away from a burning plane

The Tunnel Sabotage Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy © Sky Kudos CANAL+

Writer: Ben Richards

Starring: Stephen Dillane, Clémence Poésy, Angel Coulby, Emilia Fox, Clarke Peters, Paul Schneider, William Ash

Production Company: Kudos Film and Television, Shine France

Kent Locations Used: Euro Tunnel, Folkestone Harbour, Discovery Park, Folkestone, Deal and Deal Pier, Dover including the Port and Dover Castle, Westwood Industrial Estate Margate, Ramsgate, Botany Bay – Broadstairs, The Barn in Upstreet, St Martin’s Hospital, Knowlton Court and many more.

The Tunnel: Sabotage is the second series of Sky Atlantic’s critically acclaimed show, re-uniting unlikely Anglo-French detective duo Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane) and Elise Wasserman (Clémence Poésy) on another intense investigation.

While series one was a re-imagining of Scandinavian drama “The Bridge”, the new series is an original story by Ben Richards (Outcasts, Spooks) and kicks off with two seemingly isolated events: a plane crashing into the Channel, killing everyone on board and a French couple abducted from the Eurotunnel.

Elise Wasserman (Clémence Poésy), having been promoted to French Commander, is reunited with DCI Karl Roebuck (Dillane) to investigate the two cases. The cross border teams follow a shocking trail of devastation as the victims mount up and become embroiled in a terrifying, deadly game.

The gripping eight part thriller is a Sky Atlantic and Canal+ co-production, made by Kudos and Shine Films France. Joining The Tunnel’s acclaimed production team for the second series are director Mike Barker (Broadchurch, The Smoke) and producer Julian Stevens (Hustle, The Fall).

Stephen Dillane (King Arthur, Game of Thrones) and Clémence Poésy (127 Hours, In Bruges) return in the lead roles, supported by Angel Coulby (Merlin, The Jacket), and new to series two, Emilia Fox (Silent Witness, The Wrong Mans), Clarke Peters (Notting Hill, The Wire), Paul Schneider (Parks and Recreation, The Newsroom) and William Ash (Waterloo Road, Shameless).

The hit first series was largely filmed in Kent and the county welcomed The Tunnel: Sabotage production team once again to their base at Discovery Park in Sandwich. Filming took place in a number of East Kent locations between April and July 2015 including:

Canterbury: The Barn in Upstreet, St Martin’s Hospital, Knowlton Court

Dover: Discovery Park, Deal and Deal Pier, the town of Dover, Port of Dover, Inn and Hotel, Deal, Sandwich Marina, Dover Castle – Admiral’s lookout

Shepway: Euro Tunnel, the town of Folkestone, Folkestone Harbour

Thanet: set building in a warehouse on Westwood Industrial Estate in Margate, Botany Bay and the towns of Ramsgate and Margate

East Kent is ideally situated with great transport links both to London and Europe. The area boasts a wealth of locations including industrial as well as historic buildings and beautiful coastal landscapes. East Kent has previously featured on screen in many projects such as Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Edge of Heaven (2014), The Honourable Woman (2014), Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011), Great Expectations (2011/2012), On A Clear Day (2005) and Die Another Day (2002).

Don’t miss the much anticipated return of The Tunnel: Sabotage which starts on Tuesday 12th April 2016 at 21:00 on Sky Atlantic. The whole series will also be available on Sky Box Sets from this date.

 

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


The Soul of a Spy (Dusha Shpiona) (2015)

Andrey Chernyshov as Alex Wilkie and Malcolm McDowell as Henry stand in front of a black-and-white image of Tower Bridge in London. Chernyshov wears a trenchcoat, white shirt and blue, red and whitestriped tie. McDowell wears a chequered tweed jacket, blue jumper, white shirt and black bow tie. The two men look sternly off into the distance.

Andrey Chernyshov and Malcolm McDowell in The Soul of a Spy (2015) © Three T Productions

Director: Vladimir Bortko
Starring:
Andrey Chernyshov, Elo Cinquanta, Fedor Bondarchuk, Liam Cunningham
Production Company:
Three T Productions, Celtic Films Entertainment, Fluid Company, Studio 2-B-2 Entertainment, Zak Productions
Kent Locations Used:
Ramsgate Royal Harbour, Royal Temple Yacht Club

The Soul of a Spy (2015) is a Russian language spy thriller following an Intelligence Officer who, after being assigned to a job in London, finds that bribery, blackmail and murder are all part of the job.

Directed by Vladimir Bortko (Idiot, The Master and Margarita), the film stars Andrey Chernyshov (Tankers, The Man Without a Past) as Alex Wilkie, Elo Cinquanta (Vasectomia, 8 Marvels of the World) as Katia, Fedor Bondarchuk (9th Company, Sputnik) as Zasuhin and Liam Cunningham (Jude (1996), Electric Dreams: Crazy Diamond (2017)) as Hillsman.

The production visited Kent to film various scenes in and around Ramsgate Royal Harbour as well as just offshore.

Ramsgate has the only Royal Harbour in the country, decreed by King George IV in 1821 due to his fondness of the friendly locals he met there. Often used as a double for London, Ramsgate is a popular filming location, with previous productions to film there including Not Going Out – Series 6 (2013), The Calling (2009) and Hancock and Joan (2008).

The Soul of a Spy (2015) debuted at Montréal World Film Festival on Friday 28th August 2015 and is now available to stream on Google Play.

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


Redemption (2013)

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. 

 


World War Z (2013)

World War Z - Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) standing in front of a queue of taxis

World War Z – Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) © Paramount Pictures

Director: Marc Forster

Writers: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard and Damon Lindelof (screenplay) and Max Brooks (novel)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Sterling Jerins, Matthew Fox, James Badge Dale

Production Company: Skydance Productions, Hemisphere Media Capital, GK Films, Plan B Entertainment, 2DUX²

Kent locations used: Discovery Park, Sandwich

World War Z is an apocalyptic action, sci-fi film starring Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Oceans Trilogy) as United Nations researcher Gerry Lane who is forced to leave his family to travel across the world in a race against time to try and stop the zombie pandemic that is threatening to decimate humanity itself.

Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) running with soldiers down a street

Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) © Paramount Pictures

Based on the 2006 bestselling novel of the same name by author Max Brooks, the film is directed by Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace, Monster’s Ball)from a screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan (Lions for Lambs, State of Play) Drew Goddard (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Lost) and Damon Lindelof (Lost, Star Trek – Into Darkness).

Brad Pitt is a supported by Mireille Enos (The Killing), Sterling Jerins (Deception), Matthew Fox (Lost) and James Badge Dale (The Departed).

In September and October 2012, the World War Z production team visited Discovery Park in Sandwich, Dover to use the offices and laboratories  to shoot scenes where Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) tries to find a cure for the zombie pandemic.

Discovery Park is the former head quarters of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. It offers large office complexes, scientific laboratories, warehouses and plants. 

Discovery Park has previously been used as a film location by  Sky Atlantic drama, The Tunnel (2013) and new BBC series James Mays Cars of People due out in 2014.

Don’t miss World War Z which is out in cinemas on Friday June 21st 2013.

 

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


Thaandavam (2012)

Two actors dancing on Botany Bay beach

Thaandavam © UK Film Productions

Director: A.L. Vijay
Writer:
Mike Parish, A.L. Vijay
Starring:
Vikram, Jagapathi Babu, Anushka Shetty, Lakshmi Rai, Amy Jackson
Production Company:
UTV Motion Pictures
Kent Locations Used:
Botany Bay

Thaandavam (2012) is a Tamil film directed by A.L. Vijay (Thalaivaa, Deiva Thirumagal) and is a mix of action, thriller and sci-fi with traditional Indian song and dance. The film stars some big Bollywood names and is about a blind man who has a special ‘Echolocation’ power on a revenge mission. It is one of the first Indian films to have shot action scenes using Hollywood technology and techniques.

Two actors embraced. The male actor has him arms around the female and is kissing her cheek

Thaandavam © UK Film Productions

There is a star-studded cast including Vikram (Mahaan, Anniyan), winner of India’s National Film Awards, Jagapathi Babu (Radhe Shyam, Annaatthe), Anushka Shetty (Bahubali: The Beginning, Yennai Arindhaal), Lakshmi Rai (Mankatha, Akira) and English model, actress and former Miss Teen World, Amy Jackson (2.0, I) who has become a big name in Tolllywood.

The Thaandavam crew came to Botany Bay back in April 2012, and the stunning beach was used for a dance sequence with a sand artist.

Botany Bay is in Thanet and is a popular film location due to its blue flag beach almost 200m long with stunning chalk cliffs and rock pools. Productions that have previously filmed at the location include Series 1 of the Sky Atlantic comedy Hunderby (2012), BBC drama True Love (2012), and ITV’s The Fixer (2008).

Thaandavam was released in UK cinemas on Thursday 27th September 2012. It is now available to stream on Netflix.

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


Piggy (2012)

Paul Anderson as Piggy stands in front of a torn, dirty white sheet. He is wearing a black hoody with the hood up and a pig nose mask. He is staring straight at the camera.

Piggy (2012) © DP Films

Writer / Director: Kieron Hawkes
Starring:
Martin Compston, Paul Anderson, Neil Maskell
Production Company:
DP Films, Fulwell 73
Kent Locations Used:
Invicta House, The Hive, Manor Way Business Park, Darenth Valley Hospital

Piggy (2012) follows Joe, a mild-mannered anxious man whose life is thrown into turmoil after the violent murder of his brother. He finds an unusual friendship in the brash, hot-tempered Piggy who soon drags Joe into a world of danger, violence and revenge.

Written and directed by Kieron Hawkes (Intergalactic, Fortitude) in his debut, Piggy stars Martin Compston (Our House (2022), Line of Duty) as Joe, Paul Anderson (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), Legend) as Piggy and Neil Maskell (Bull (2021), Klokkenluider (2023)) as Joe’s brother John.

The film was shot in various locations across Kent. Joe’s office was filmed in the Post Room of Invicta House in Maidstone. Joe and Piggy attack a mugger at The Hive in Gravesend, and later drive through Manor Way Business Park in Swanscombe. After his brother is attacked, Joe visits him in Darenth Valley Hospital in Dartford.

As the county town of Kent and seat of local governance, Maidstone plays an important part in Kent’s history. The River Medway runs through Maidstone’s town centre, linking it with nearby towns Rochester and Chatham. The town has many shops, restaurants, bars, churches and a museum. Maidstone has also featured in They Came from Somewhere Else (1984), Missing (2009-2010) and Rustom (2016).

Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent on the south bank of the Thames. The towns pier is the oldest remaining cast-iron pier in the world, and the town also features an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. Island (2011), The Interceptor (2015) and The Escape (2018) also filmed in Gravesend.

Piggy (2012) was released on Friday 4th May 2012 and is available to purchase on Amazon.

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