THE trailer for a brand-new movie The Almond and The Sea Horse, which is set in various locations across Wirral, has been released this week.
The new film, which stars Australian actress Rebel Wilson as archaeologist Sarah, shows her dealing with the complications of her husband Joe's (Celyn Jones) traumatic brain injury, while architect Toni (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and her partner Gwen (Trine Dyrholm) "have been imprisoned in a 15-year loop" due to a similar injury.
In the film, New Brighton, Hoylake beach, West Kirby, Leasowe and Oxton will all feature along with Crosby beach and Bootle across the water in Liverpool.
The Globe spoke to the director, writer and producer of the film, Celyn Jones, who is the co-founder of the film’s production company Mad as Birds and also stars as Joe in the movie.
Fellow producers of the film, Andy Evans and Sean Marley also live in Wirral.
Celyn said: “I live in Wirral so when we turned the playwright into a screenplay it needed to have familiarity.
“I didn’t want it to become a preconceived idea. You get city, village, town, country and coast here.
“The traumatic brain injury centre is actually in Oxton. I would say about 90% of the film is set in Wirral.”
A house on Meols Drive in West Kirby and Ashton House Resource Centre in Birkenhead can also be seen in the film.
Celyn, originally from North Wales, moved to Wirral ten years ago and now lives with his wife.
He added: “We did the film the way we wanted to. It is not pretending to be anywhere else.”
Speaking about what viewers can expect, Celyn explained that it will be an “emotional rollercoaster.”
He said: “It’s a tough subject, dealt with very delicately.
“It’s a performance piece film, it will make you laugh and cry. It’s got great performers and actors at its core.
“It’s a new venture for Rebel, as it’s her first dramatic role and I think viewers will really enjoy it.
“So many people have suffered saying goodbye to someone, sometimes too soon, so there are elements that are moving to people.”
Here is the official trailer, which was released on Thursday, November 9.
Celyn added: “When else will you get to see a movie, with a bunch of big stars on your doorstep?”
Mad as Birds are planning to do a couple of screenings at the Light Cinema in New Brighton once the movie has been released.
The release date for the film is Dember, 16 in the US, with a UK release date to come soon after, but this has not yet been officially confirmed.
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