Venus and Whitstable

02/07 - On general cinema release, Venus shows Whitstable at its best.

Peter O'Toole and Jodie Whittaker in Trafalgar Square © Nicola Dove

On general cinema release now, Venus was filmed in Whitstable starring Peter O’Toole, Leslie Phillips and newcomer Jodie Whittaker. The film tells the tale of Maurice (Peter O’Toole’s), an ageing Lothario, who returns to his childhood haunt Whitstable to bathe his feet in the sea and eat Whitstable Oysters for one last time.

Maurice (Peter O’Toole) is determined to have one last fling. He lives with Ian (Leslie Phillips), another aged actor whose life is slowly trudging towards his eventual demise.

: Wheeler's Oyster Bar © Kirsty Haggar

Cue Ian’s niece, Jessie (Jodie Whittaker), a modern day chav who has been shipped down to Ian by her mother. It soon becomes clear why: Jessie spends her days doing nothing, apart from eating and drinking her reluctant hosts out of house and home. Whilst this behaviour drives Ian to distraction, Maurice takes a shine to the girl and an unlikely friendship develops.

While teaching Jessie the value of respect for her self and others, Maurice soon realises that despite his age and experience there are still a few lessons in life left to learn, even for him.

Filmed in Whitstable, a popular Kentish seaside town, VENUS manages to capture the charms of this community, which has retained it’s authenticity despite a recent influx of Londoners escaping the Big Smoke.

Famous for its Oysters, which have been collected in the waters off Whitstable for over 2000 years and are celebrated during the annual Oyster Festival, more recently, the town has also become a haven for contemporary artists. The historic harbour is still used for commercial purposes today and the catch of the day is offered in the town’s lively and popular restaurants.

This year’s Oyster Festival will be held from Saturday the 21^st to Sunday the 29^th July 2007, where the end of the festival is celebrated with harbour day which includes the Whitstable Regatta and fireworks.

[Pascale Blackburn]

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Venus and Whitstable

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