Nottinghamshire might have missed out as the obvious location for the BBC's latest television interpretation of Robin Hood, but it's fast becoming a "must film" location for many movie makers. During 2007 at least four major films will be released, using the county as a backdrop. Much of the groundwork has been done by EM Media, the regional screen agency for the East Midlands. Slowly but surely its portfolio of success is growing. Movies like Once Upon a Time in the Midlands and One for the Road have both been shot in Nottinghamshire. Now more films are to be released with links to the county. Control | | Sam Riley as Ian Curtis in Control |
Due around the back-end of the summer, this is the story of the Joy Division singer Ian Curtis. It's directed by Anton Corbijn, more renowned for his photographic work. Control boasts many actors with Nottinghamshire links. Samantha Morton plays Ian's wife Deborah, while Toby Kebbell and Harry Treadaway are also involved. This Is EnglandThe latest from Nottingham's adopted film director Shane Meadows, this movie isn't due out until the spring although it's already picked up several prestigious awards. The latest was Best British Independent Film at the 9th Annual British Independent Film Awards. The Most Promising Newcomer award was won by Thomas Turgoose who plays Shaun in the movie. The film is set in 1983 and follows a group of skinheads who take 12-year-old Shaun under their wing. All goes well until one of the group members returns from a spell in prison. Magicians | | Location sign in situ during Magicians filming |
The brainchild of comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb, the climax to this movie was filmed at Nottingham's Theatre Royal towards the end of 2006. It's about a magic double act who fall out when one is involved in an accident with a guillotine during a show. They become rivals and years later face each other in the final of a top magic competition. The film is due to be released in late spring. And When Did You Last See Your Father?It's strange that a movie staring Colin Firth could be shot without much media interest. In fairness, only one Nottinghamshire location is used in this tale of the memories of a son's father in the weeks leading up to his death. That location is a private house in a village to the south of Newark - keep your eyes peeled. Firth plays the son while his father is portrayed by another well loved actor, Jim Broadbent. Expect to see it in cinemas towards the end of the year. | 
