Will film put Peckham on the map?

By Isabel Ramirez isabel@southwarknews.co.uk

as a new film largely set in Peckham is released to UK cinemas, which is set to ‘boost tourism’ in the area, here are all the locations that feature in the movie...

After premiering last week at Peckhamplex, the romantic comedy, starring David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, will be released on Friday, March 17 in cinemas across the UK.

Set in the vibrant heart of south London, Rye Lane follows the whirlwind romance between Yas and Dom, two twenty-somethings, both reeling from bad break-ups, who connect over the course of an eventful day - helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.

Teeming with an eclectic mix of characters - including some surprising yet charming cameos by a few familiar faces - fast-paced, witty dialogue and contemporary pop culture references, Rye Lane is a funny and fresh ode to love and dating in the 21st century.

The movie was shot on location in Peckham, Brixton and along the Southbank, with local landmarks providing a lively, colourful backdrop homes and on Dulwich’s Kingswood Estate one officer for 733 homes.

We plan to publish a full report on our findings shortly and we will be asking the council if it believes the system works or whether an alternative system like that being called for by Southwark and Peckham Citizens should be considered, given the rising calls for change.

Denise Williams-Dean, Co-chair of governors at Southwark Citizens, said in her address to the council: “It’s a crisis that is ruining our homes and the health of our children. As a chair of governors at a Southwark primary school, I’ve seen how much it affects children’s education when homes are not safe or healthy environments.

In order to push for change, they prepared a giant invitation, addressed to Cllr Kieron Williams to involve them in the promised Southwark Repairs Improvement Plan. After finding Cllr Williams wasn’t available, deputy council lead Cllr Jasmine Ali agreed to listen to their demands in his place. She promised to “feed everything back to him.”

Pupils proceeded to share personal stories of living in poor and unsanitary conditions. For example, one student, Sarah, 15, who lives in a flat in Peckham, explained she had suffered from flooding from a young age.

“When it rains, the pipe is unable to withstand the flood. Despite being fixed on many occasions it’s still happening,” she said.

“One time when I was thirteen, my mum broke her ankle and was unable to walk so I had to clear the drain myself. The flat flooded again.

“My mum has contacted the council so many times. And still, we are living in fear of heavy rain,” Sarah said. “We want to be heard and we need to be heard,” another student, Chioma, 15, said.

After voicing their stories and demands, they said they were not leaving without a confirmation that someone from the council would attend their Citizens Housing Meeting, due to take place on Monday, March 20.

Cllr Jasmine Ali responded: “You’ve said yourself that it is a systemic problem which we will not be defeated by. I’ll assure you that our officers are committed to getting on top of this.

Camden,” she said.

“I’m from Manchester but I moved to south London when I was 12. It’s an important part of London for me, but it’s just an important place in general – the history of it, its identity, the multicultural influences.

“Growing up there, going to Nour Cash & Carry with my Gran to get seasoning did so much for me and I really wanted to showcase it in a different way,” she added.

Maps of the locations will be distributed across shops, cafes, restaurants, and retail outlets in the south London area, plus available to download on the Southwark Council website.

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said he believes this film has the potential to bring more tourists south of the river.

“We are trying to get the repairs services right. We always want to hear from young people.”

Asked about whether she would attend the meeting, Cllr Ali said: “I’ll make every effort to be there, and if I can’t attend for whatever reason, I’ll make sure someone comes along.”

She then confirmed that Cabinet Lead for Housing, Cllr Darren Merrill, would attend. On hearing this news, a social worker and member of Southwark Citizens, said: “This is really positive. It’s hard to feel heard by the council but it feels like they are listening and they do want to help.” and eclectic spirit of our community in the way that Rye Lane has.

One of the security guards at the Southwark Council office who was overseeing this even commented that he too has been experiencing lots of these issues in his home.

At the public Citizens Housing Meeting later in the month, community leaders will share stories, map properties in poor repair, and present solutions.

The public Citizens Housing Meeting will take place at 10 am on Monday 20th March in Peckham Square.

“We look forward to welcoming returning and new visitors as film fans explore the fantastic local businesses, galleries and nightlife they see on the screen.” thE Full list oF south london loCations usEd in thE FilM: tate Modern Millennium Bridge

Morley’s, Peckham

Nour Cash & Carry, Brixton

Brixton Market

Brixton Ritzy

Ebony Horse Club, Brixton

Persepolis, Peckham

Tola, Peckham to Yas and Dom’s budding romance – whether that’s buying records at Peckham Soul Records, shopping at Rye Lane and Brixton Market, catching movies at the Peckhamplex and the Ritzy Brixton, or waving at boats from Millennium Bridge.

Director Raine Anne-Miller grew up in south London, which she said encouraged the choice to set it there.

“It was originally written to be set in

“Peckham is the heart and soul of south London and Rye Lane is the heart of Peckham, so it’s wonderful to have so much of that colour and vibrancy captured in this heart-warming film.

“We were delighted to welcome the cast and crew to our borough for the filming and to see local businesses getting involved. Southwark is fast becoming a global centre for filmmaking, but few have captured the rich diversity

Rye Lane Market, Peckham

Peckhamplex

Il Giardino, Peckham

Peckham soul records

The film was produced in partnership with BBC Film and BFI.

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