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A Netflix film starring a host of famous names is released this week – and it was filmed right here in Kent.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ben Kingsley, Richard Ayoade and Dev Patel all feature in the streaming service’s latest offering.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, which is released on Wednesday (September 27), was filmed at Maidstone Film Studios, at Vinters Business Park in New Cut Road, which has a long history of filming TV and movie hits.
It is adapted from a number of short stories released in the 1977 collection The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More by Roald Dahl.
The story involves a wealthy man who enjoys gambling and is able to see through objects and predict the future with the help of a book.
Directed and written by Wes Anderson, the 39-minute short film was shot in the 12,000 sq ft Studio One at Maidstone, as well as the 6,000 sq ft Studio Two.
A spokesman for the studios added that filming took place with "several outdoor sets constructed within our backlot, and production made use of many of our ancillary spaces for hair, make-up, props and catering, to create the perfect setting for the story of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar to be told”.
Chairman and owner of Maidstone Studios, Geoff Miles, told business magazine Televisual: “We are enormously proud and delighted to have worked with Wes Anderson and Indian Paintbrush on their latest short film for Netflix.
"It was an absolute pleasure to work with such a talented team across the year and on such an iconic Roald Dahl story.
"We cannot wait to see this air soon.”
It premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 1 ahead of its release on Netflix this week.