Directed by Joel Hopkins

Written by Robert Festinger

Released by Entertainment One UK

2017, 102 minutes

In UK Cinemas  23rd June

Brendan Gleeson as Donald Horner
Jason Watkins as James Smythe
Phil Davis as Sid Fife
Will Smith as Leon Rowlands
Peter Singh as Xavier
Diane Keaton as Emily Walters
James Norton as Philip

By Claire Bueno

There couldn’t have been a more appropriate location, as the Everyman Cinema, Hampstead hosted the World Premiere of Hampstead, starring Diane Keaton (Annie Hall, Godfather) and Brendon Gleeson (Harry Potter, Calvary, In Bruges).

Wednesday 14th June 2017, a wonderful balmy evening, and the perfect evening for filmmakers and acting talent to reunite on the red carpet to celebrate the release of their enchanting new film.

Actors Brendon Gleeson, Jason Watkins, Phil Davis; director Joel Hopkins and screenwriter Rob Festinger where amongst the people in attendance, to share their experiences working on the film.

“In terms of the fiction of the movie, in terms of the romance of the movie, I think their honesty with each other sparks the initial thing. Yeah, it’s exactly that, what you see is what you get,” says Dublin born Gleeson.

“He was happy in his own skin,” he continues. Which can also be said for Gleeson, as this clearly resonates throughout his performance.

“It was important that he wasn’t overly smelly, in terms of romance,” laughs Gleeson on his character Donald Horner. And laugh you will, with the quick and sharp wit.

Another character that provides plenty of laughs, is brought to us by Jason Watkins (Trollied, Taboo, Line of Duty). “Yeah it was great, I made sure it was fun.”

In terms of his characters pursuit of Emily Walters, played by Diane Keaton, the RADA actor commented: “He just wanted to get his Ucayali out.” Watch the film; all will be revealed!

Another of Britain’s acting treasures, Phil Davis (Poldark, Whitechapel, Riviera) perfectly describes his participation as. “A mixture of comedy and pathos.” His performance so believable, it is hard to determine fact from fiction.

Another huge character of the film, is the indisputably pretty Hampstead. And the films feels like a real love letter to the village in North London.

“I grew up in Hampstead,” says Joel Hopkins (Last Chance Harvey).

“It was quite a responsibility because I had to juggle, trying to find that balance between wanting to depict a place I love so much, depict it with a bit of realism, at the same time, it’s a movie that has to play in middle America, so I hope I got the balance right,” continued the BAFTA winning director.

And what of the real-life person Harry Hallows who inspired Hampstead?

“We had a lot of respect for the fact that Harry inspired this story, that he was this inimitable force, and his message of living in a very specific way, where he was not going to abide by society’s rules,” said Oscar nominated screenwriter Rob Festinger (In The Bedroom).

By watching Hampstead you will enjoy meandering through the streets, alleys and of course the world famous Hampstead Heath. You’ll enjoy the light hearted laughs as well as some of the more grounding elements of the film, but most of all you’ll enjoy 103 minutes of pure escapism.