Nationally there might still be concern over the plight of the British film industry, but Nottinghamshire's never known it so good. 2002 has seen the release of high profile films Once Upon A Time In The Midlands and Anita and Me. Now a third film, One For The Road, has just finished shooting in and around Nottingham. Among those locations used were The Palm Tree Pub on Gladstone Street in Nottingham and a paintball sequence at Paintball Jungle on Mapperley Plains. The film itself is a black comedy, written and directed by Chris Cooke. It's his debut feature film although he has made a number of shorts including Map of the Scars and Shifting Units.  | | Paintballing in One For The Road |
He's obviously gained quite a reputation because he's got together quite a cast for One For The Road. It's headed by veteran actor Hywel Bennett, who many moons ago appeared in the comedy series Shelley. Also present is local lass Micaiah Dring, last seen in Footballers Wives, plus Greg Chisholm who appeared in Warriors. The story itself revolves around the Bennett character, Richard. He meets Jimmy, Paul, and Mark on a rehabilitation course for drink drivers. Since Richard is a retired millionaire property developer, the other three quickly realise this is the networking opportunity of a lifetime and plot to relieve him of some of his wealth. The story might sound simple but One For The Road is unlikely to be an easy watch. Cooke is renowned for a distinctive style of naturalistic, semi-improvised performances, minimal lighting and hand held camerawork. He says of the production: "The film is not just about drinking but about chasing money and how empty that can make a person feel. It’s about hopes and dreams that are out of reach. The comedy comes from the real people and the real situations." Read our interview with Chris Cooke
Chris hopes to finish editing One For The Road by March next year and is looking to showcase his first big feature at the 2003 Edinburgh Film Festival. However, he hopes it'll receive its premiere in Nottingham. See production shots from Chris Cooke's One For The Road >>
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