All-star British cast joins new feel-good movie ‘Save the Cinema’

An uplifting new movie set in the 1990s has started filming in Wales.

Save the Cinema is described as a “feel-good story” based on the efforts of one woman bringing together a community to save the local cinema.

Samantha Morton (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them) will lead the cast.

The Harlots star will be joined by Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes), Adeel Akhtar (Les Miserables), Erin Richards (Gotham), Owain Yeoman (Emergence), Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes), Colm Meaney (Gangs of London), Rhod Gilbert (Have I Got News For You), and Keith Allen (Kingsman: The Golden Circle).

The official synopsis reads: “Set in the 90’s, Save the Cinema is inspired by the life of Liz Evans, (Samantha Morton), a hairdresser and linchpin in the local community in the small town of Carmarthen in Wales.

“Her mission is to stop The Lyric Theatre being demolished by bulldozers and turned into a shopping centre. With the threat of demolition becoming ever more likely, Liz and friends barricade themselves in the cinema and with the help of postman turned local councillor Richard (Tom Felton), they come up with a grand plan.

“To revitalise the cinema and stop the council taking the heart of the community away, a desperate Liz persuades Richard to write to Hollywood to ask for a helping hand. A phone call later and an influential filmmaker agrees to offer a very special treat for Carmarthen, but does this help save the future of The Lyric?”

Sarah Wright, Director of Sky Cinema and Acquisitions at Sky UK & Ireland commented: “Filmed in Wales and featuring the best of British talent, at its core is an incredible true story – one woman’s seemingly impossible dream to galvanise her community to stand up for local arts and all it represents, I cannot wait to bring this Sky Original film to Sky Cinema in 2021.”

Save the Cinema will premiere in UK cinemas, and on Sky Cinema and NOW TV, towards the end of the year.

The movie is directed by Sara Sugarman (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) and written by Piers Ashworth (Fisherman’s Friends).

Fisherman’s Friends is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.