Local premiere of Bristol comedy spy thriller

Shot entirely on location in Bristol with a mostly local crew, comedy-thriller Eliminate: Archie Cookson is the tale of the eponymous washed-up spy who finds himself unexpectedly in possession of some top-secret tapes. Unfortunately, this also makes him the target of MI6 assassins.

Cast as Archie is Paul Rhys, whose screen credits range from Julien Temple’s Absolute Beginners to TV work in Luther, Spooks and Being Human. Playing Archie’s long-suffering estranged wife Camilla is Claire Skinner, who appeared in Mike Leigh’s Naked and Life is Sweet, and is best known for her starring role in TV comedy Life Begins and, most recently, as Sue in the BBC’s Outnumbered.

Behind the camera is Bedminster-based first-time director Rob Holder (pictured, above, on set).

The film gets its local premiere in the form of two screenings at the Orpheus cinema, each followed by director and crew Q&As. These take place on Thursday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 14. Go here to book tickets.

Eliminate: Archie Cookson will also be available as a limited edition ‘first pressing’ blu-ray and DVD combo pack (signed by the director) as well as a digital download-to-own or stream from the film’s official website from April 2. We took the opportunity to grill Rob about his film. Here’s what he had to say.

How would you pitch Eliminate: Archie Cookson to a cinemagoer who’s unsure whether to spend their hard-earned ticket money on your film or something else on general release?

Eliminate: Archie Cookson has everything a major Hollywood comedy thriller has, without the feeling that you have seen it all before. It’s unlike anything on general release. I many people are bored with the predictable, sanitised, franchised nonsense that is coming out of Hollywood. Whilst they are engaging for the occasional guilty pleasure, every pound spent on Superhero Film 10 is one less pound spent on supporting independent film. Simple as that. I think we are all sleep-walking into being told what to like by studios and their giant marketing machines. If we don’t choose to watch independent films, that opportunity will eventually be taken away. Being entirely independent, there are less hands controlling Eliminate: Archie Cookson  – meaning we could take greater risks in telling a more involving, surprising and thrilling story than we might have been able to otherwise. It’s everything you would expect from a comedy spy-thriller and a whole lot more.

Comedy-thrillers are notoriously difficult to pull off successfully. Which are your favourites and what pitfalls were you eager to avoid?

I really enjoyed In Bruges. A great example of excellent performances, a tight script and the ever-present feeling of threat. A great balance on an independent budget. The balance of comedy and thriller is a tricky one to pull off. For me, it was key that the comedy was derived from the absurdity of the situation. All the characters react in very ‘everyday’ ways to the deadly situation that is unfolding. I suppose you could say the collision of movie tropes and real British attitude is the genesis for the comedy of the film. Movie tradition would say the characters all have to run about panicking, whereas I think the normal reaction would be to encourage everyone to calm down. As the film progresses, there is a gradual shifting of attitude from ‘don’t be absurd’ to ‘this is real’ and the comedy transitions into something more genuine and affecting.

Which local locations can we expect to recognise?

Oh, there are a lot. The film was shot entirely in Bristol. People should recognise the Wills Building at the top of Park Street which plays host to the MI6 office. Greenbank cemetery is where the plot takes a sinister turn thanks to a CIA hitman. Under Avonmouth bridge is the site of Sergie’s hideout. And the old dye works in St Pauls is the location of the explosive climax of the film. There are many other locations that people will enjoy recognising from around Bristol.

What was your experience of shooting in Bristol?

Bristol is intensely creative and very open to new things. We had a blast filming here and everyone we approached for the filming was incredibly helpful and accommodating. The city had everything we need and yet was small enough to allow us easy travel from one location to the next – meaning we could squeeze more into our shooting day which increases the production value of the film.

Would you recommend the city to other directors as a shooting location?

Absolutely. I would add that they should find one of the great local Location Scouts and Managers. They know all the ins and outs, back alleys and mansions, that are inside knowledge to a local Bristolian.

How much local talent worked on the film?

A lot! Of the crew, only five or so of the thirty were not from Bristol or the South West. Many of the crew were friends or colleagues from work I have done in Bristol. I asked them to come along and help me make my first film. To my surprise (and eternal gratitude!), they agreed. There are so many amazing local technicians and performers here in Bristol that we felt we didn’t need to look further afield. 

What was the budget and how did you raise it?

The budget was £350,000 which was raised by our amazing Executive Producer David Bunker from generous and philanthropic individuals living in Bristol and further afield.

A low-budget film with a great script always trumps a big-budget one with a lousy script. How long did you work on yours?

That seemed like an age! In total, the script took about three years from the initial idea to the final, shooting script. I was writing it part time while continuing to work on film sets. As a first time filmmaker with no development budget, I had to eat!

How, as a first-time director, did you persuade the likes of Paul Rhys and Claire Skinner to get involved?

To have such and amazing cast was incredible for a first-timer like me. I had always admired their work and sent their agent the script. I think they responded to it because it is such an usual idea and far from the formulaic stories that seem to be being told at the moment. I was lucky enough that the shoot fitted in to their busy schedules and that they were willing to work for a lower rate than usual to make the project happen.

You made the film four years ago, but we’re only now getting to see it on the big screen. Why the delay?

The film was technically finished in 2011 and then began its festival run. We were really lucky that the film was so popular and played in over twenty international and prestigious film festivals including many in America. Seattle, Denver, Mill Valley and Palm Springs are a few of the bigger festivals that spring to mind. I was lucky enough to attend many of the festivals and see the audience reaction first hand. That was exhilarating! We also played at the Brussels Festivals of Fantastic Film – which is dedicated to horror, sci-fi and thrillers – where Paul won an award for his performance. I was gutted that I couldn’t make the festival, particularly as they all get drunk and make the director introduce the film by singing a song instead of the usual dry speech. I would have sung Michael Caine by Madness in homage to The IPCRESS File, which influenced the look of Archie so much.