A Cornish film made on location in the county has been screened at a Newquay cinema.
Cast and crew of The Chocolate Club enjoyed a private screening at the Lighthouse Cinema. It was the first time many of the team had seen the festive romantic comedy on the big screen.
Director Deborah Hadfield says: “It was important for us to share the experience of seeing the movie together on the big screen. Cornish locations are breathtaking when seen on a gigantic scene and I wanted the film’s beauty to shine.”
Cornish leading lady Kate Edney, who has won multiple best actress awards for her role as Rose, was among the cast.
She said: ”I was laughing all the time. It is so beautiful and the scenery looks incredible.“
Deborah said: “I was keen to cast as many local actors as the film is my love letter to Cornwall. The county is where I came to grieve the death of my twin brother Garry. It inspired me to make the film to share how people find their way back to happiness.”
The romantic comedy was filmed on location across Cornwall in the winter of 2023. Most of the crew also came from Cornwall.
Director of photography Tim Boydell, who is from Newquay, has won a variety of awards for the movie. It is his first time to head up a crew to shoot a feature film. Tim, whose company Light Colour Sound shoots for many top productions and brands, assembled a Cornish camera team for The Chocolate Club.
Deborah pays tribute to Tim and his team.
She said: ”Tim was incredible to work with as he knows the all the best locations in the county. His team braved the worst of the Cornish winter on cliffs and beaches in rain and wind to capture the most incredible shots.”
The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival for buyers in May. The micro budget film is making a splash internationally having collected 67 awards from around the world. The director won more than 50 awards with her last film, We Too Together, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. The movie sold all over the world.
Deborah, who was born in the Midlands, chose to film entirely on location in Cornwall.
She said: “I am making my home in Cornwall so sharing its beauty with the world is an honour. The people of the South West have welcomed me like family.”
The Chocolate Club has won a range of awards, including ‘Best Film’, ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Actor’ for leading man Josh Taylor, who can be seen in Amazon Prime’s Alex Rider series. The film’s editor Kant Pan, who received an Oscar nomination for The Crying Game, has also been honoured for best editor.
“It is amazing the film is getting such recognition and it’s an honour to share these awards with all our team,” said Deborah.
The film is based around a support group nicknamed The Chocolate Club, where seven strangers search for faith, hope, love and chocolate. Iconic locations like Fistral Beach, Lusty Glaze Beach, Watergate Bay, Mylor Harbour and Maenporth Beach are the stars of the film.
Deborah said her team is grateful for the hospitality and support of the people based in Cornwall. One of the key locations is the stone cottage and glamping site at Penhallow House in Newlyn East.
She says executive producer Rich Barker and art director Ian Jury opened up their home to allow the crew to film there.
She said: ”Rich and Ian were so wonderful to allow us take over all parts of their home to transform it for different scenes in the movie. The house became a character in its own right and it looks so gorgeous.”
She says the rugged beauty of the beaches, cliffs and countryside of Cornwall also helps make the film look like it cost millions.
She said: ”Shooting in location is always a challenge, especially in a Cornish winter, but seeing the scenery in the big screen makes all the hardship and challenges worthwhile.”
Deborah, a former TV presenter and reporter for ITV, BBC and AL Jazeera, has made a series of short films and features which have been screened globally winning dozens of international awards.
She set up her company Queen Bee Films to make movies. She says it’s important for her to share stories which inspire people and are told with heart.
”Being recognised for our new film is a chance to also show off the talent of our cast and crew,” said Deborah.
The movie also features Cornish brands Kernow Chocolate, Cornish Chocolate Cove, Tarquin’s Gin, St Austell Brewery, Finisterre, Made of Water, Sunset and Box & Barber coffee.
The film is due to be released for Christmas.