Nagasaki film scenes shot in the Lickey Hills

A FILM being produced near Bromsgrove, has received some unexpected backing after Sir Doug Ellis OBE, visited the set and spoke to people on the project.

The former Aston Villa Football Club chairman, was present at Hillscourt Conference Centre in Rednal last Friday (November 30) to launch a new foundation with South and City College in Birmingham.

Sir Doug, 89, took time to talk to media and hair beauty students who are currently gaining experience working on the production side of the project, based around the aftermath of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki, in 1945.

The film - 'All that remains' - is made almost entirely in the Midlands and is the first European movie ever to focus on the tragedy.

Twins Ian and Dominic Higgins, from Hopwood, are directing the feature and Nigel Davey, from Rednal, is heading up production.

Nigel said: "It was an honour to have Sir Doug Ellis visit the film set.

"He wanted to know all about the film and, while on set, told us about his own war experiences during 1945."

He added the students were a valuable asset to the production and said he would gladly extend an invitation for voluntary partnerships with sixth-forms from Bromsgrove and Worcestershire.

"Its great to include the college students on our film, they have been working alongside the make up experts to gain the on-set working experience.

"We will do this again in future." added Nigel.

The Sir Doug Ellis Foundation will support disadvantaged people at South and City College who have struggled in the education system.

Sir Doug said: "I likened my own life to what the college was doing because I was not academically brilliant.

"I started work at 14 as a booking clerk.

"I was only too pleased to help."

Mike Hopkins, principal of South and City College, added: "We take students with little qualifications, the ones who need the most help. This will give them a step up."

He added to have Sir Doug as a figurehead was a catalyst for other businesses to come on board.

'All that remains' will be released next August for the anniversary of Nagasaki.

Visit www.majoroakentertainment.com for more.

Buy photos» Singer and actor Charlie Green getting made up before filming. Picture supplied by Davey Films.

Buy photos» Sir Doug Ellis (right) discussing the project and sharing war time memories with production manager Nigel Davey and directing twins Ian and Dominic Higgins. Picture supplied by Davey Films.

Buy photos» Nigel talking Sir Doug through some of the apsects of 'All that remains'. Picture supplied by Davey Films.

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