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Castletown film location for lavish period drama Belle
FILM ACTION: Castletown harbour-side pictured last week set up as an 18th century Bristol dockside for the shooting of period drama Belle. PHOTO: John Maddrell JM120926 (32).
CASTLETOWN habour side has been transformed into a dockside in Bristol in the 18th century thanks to film props and creative painting.
The area was transformed to create the setting for the film Belle, set in the Bristol docks of 1760, following the true story of a young mixed-race girl called Dido Belle, which is being played by actress Gugu Mbatha Raw.
Filming of the lavish period drama began in the island on Monday (September 24). Alongside Gugu Mbatha Raw in the title role, the cast boasts an impressive ensemble of Britain’s finest actors including Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton and Emily Watson.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Department of Economic Development member with responsibility for Isle of Man Film, has said that he expects Belle to be the first of many collaborations with Pinewood Studios.
Following the three-week shoot around the island, Belle will move to Pinewood Studios, Oxford and London to complete production.
Filming dockside in Castletown has certainly created a buzz with members of the public heading down with the hope of getting pictures.
Chairman of Castletown Commissioners Kevin Weir said: ‘I think it’s brilliant to see filming back on the island.
‘[The] people of the town have been patient to say the least, but saying that the film crew has been very professional and the town hall has helped them all they can because we believe it’s in the interests of Castletown.’
The wardrobe has been stored at the town hall and Mr Weir has witnessed locals queuing up for parts as extras. He said: ‘Queues of people have had interviews for extras.’
He added: ‘I think it [the filming] has generated a great deal of interest in the town.’
Filming for Belle has also been taking place in the west of the island.
It is expected that the cast and crew of the production will inject around £1 million into the local economy.
Mr Skelly told the Examiner earlier this month: ‘It’s estimated to be around the £1 million mark based on our past history. It depends on the size of the film, the number of people involved, transportation, accommodation, catering, extras, prop hire and locations – everything surrounding the production.’
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Weather for Isle of Man
Thursday 23 May 2013
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