Home   Thanet   News   Article

Empire of Light: 'Mods and skinheads' in Hollywood film scenes shot in Margate

Dozens of mods and skinheads descended on the coast for the filming of a big-budget Hollywood movie.

Photographs taken on Margate's seafront yesterday reveal Sam Mendes' latest picture Empire of Light will feature scenes depicting racial tensions during the 1980s.

Seventy-five scooters were involved in the procession during filming of Sam Mendes's Empire of Light. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
Seventy-five scooters were involved in the procession during filming of Sam Mendes's Empire of Light. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
A procession of scooter-riding mods were seen riding along Margate seafront during filming of Empire of Light. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
A procession of scooter-riding mods were seen riding along Margate seafront during filming of Empire of Light. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
Some of the actors playing skinheads snapped during filming of Empire of Light in Margate. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
Some of the actors playing skinheads snapped during filming of Empire of Light in Margate. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography

The images show 75 scooter riders dressed in parka jackets along Marine Terrace, while a far-right group wielding banners walk behind.

A number of the National Front signs were etched with slogans like "no room here" and "white power".

A spokesman for the film's production company, Neal Street Productions, said: “Our film is set in the early 1980s when racial tensions were running high in many parts of the UK.

The skinheads were seen targeting the makeshift cinema in Margate during filming yesterday. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
The skinheads were seen targeting the makeshift cinema in Margate during filming yesterday. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
Much of the filming took place outside Margate's Dreamland, which has been made to look like a retro cinema called the Empire. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
Much of the filming took place outside Margate's Dreamland, which has been made to look like a retro cinema called the Empire. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
Seventy-five scooters, including Vespas and Lambrettas, were used in the scene. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
Seventy-five scooters, including Vespas and Lambrettas, were used in the scene. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography

"There are some scenes in Empire of Light that reflect those times.”

The scene will depict an altercation outside the cinema, as skinheads start banging on its door.

Empire of Light is understood to be a love story set in and around a cinema during the 1980s.

The Empire of Light scene was depicting fictional racial tensions during the 1980s. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
The Empire of Light scene was depicting fictional racial tensions during the 1980s. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
A woman dressed in red was seen among the group of mods. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
A woman dressed in red was seen among the group of mods. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
The shoot was for one scene that will feature in Empire of Light. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
The shoot was for one scene that will feature in Empire of Light. Picture: Roberto Fabiani

Director Sam Mendes was also behind the camera for 1917, American Beauty and Bond films Skyfall and Spectre.

The movie will star Oscar-winners Olivia Colman and Colin Firth, as well as Toby Jones and Top Boy's Micheal Ward.

Parts of Margate have been transformed, with Dreamland made to look like a retro-looking picture house named the Empire and the seafront lit up between Nayland Rock and the Turner Contemporary.

During filming yesterday, the makeshift cinema was advertising Raging Bull on one of its screens.

Bosses say some of the scooters used included Vespas and Lambrettas. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
Bosses say some of the scooters used included Vespas and Lambrettas. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
The skinheads in the film were seen targeting the cinema at Margate's Dreamland. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
The skinheads in the film were seen targeting the cinema at Margate's Dreamland. Picture: Steven Collis Allfields Photography
During filming for Empire of Light yesterday, the makeshift cinema was advertising Raging Bull on one of its screens. Picture: Roberto Fabiani
During filming for Empire of Light yesterday, the makeshift cinema was advertising Raging Bull on one of its screens. Picture: Roberto Fabiani

Bosses say some of the scooters used included Vespas and Lambrettas.

Filming of Empire of Light started in March, with the seafront turned into a winter wonderland with fake snow.

It is expected to continue until May 21.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More