Norwich lecturer celebrates world premiere of new film Chicken Town

This month sees the premiere of a new comedy film, Chicken Town, written and directed by Norwich University Lecturer Richard Bracewell.

Set in the Fens in the East of England, Chicken Town explores the story of two school friends, who join forces with a green-fingered grandad who has accidentally grown cannabis on his allotment.

The film gives first-feature credits to a long list of young actors and filmmakers – including 10 students and recent graduates from Norwich’s Film and Moving Image Production course, who worked as assistants and trainees on the film.

Meanwhile, seven of Chicken Town’s cast come from The Television Workshop in Nottingham, which was set up in 1983 to train young, Midlands-based actors, opening the door to the TV industry to working class young people.

Described by its directors as: “A story about the contradictions of modern family life; a film with both a heart and a conscience”, Chicken Town was filmed in various locations across Norfolk.

It also stars a host of comedians, comedy writers and actors, including Graham Fellows (creator of the comedy character John Shuttleworth), Laurence Rickard (Horrible Histories, Ghosts), and Alistair Green.

Describing Chicken Town, producer Tom Wood of Nodge Films, says:

“Chicken Town is part of the new movement in independent British filmmaking. It’s a project that was started completely outside the film establishment, with financing and support from people who share our ideas about telling unconventional stories in an unconventional way.

“We are very proud to show what can be done even when a project isn’t showered with budget, resources and connections. We hope it encourages other people to make films the way we’ve made Chicken Town, and to trust young people to do amazing things with their first opportunities in film.”

Chicken Town has its world premiere at Norwich Cinema City on Tuesday 17 June, with additional screenings ahead of its full UK release on Friday 27 June.

Image credit: Jessica Sansom