Brighton Wok film proves a big hit

8:50pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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A black-clad kung fu villain has invaded Brighton, taking up residence in the Royal Pavilion.

As the West Pier burns and fascist thugs go on the rampage, only one man can restore freedom to the city.

But first he must train under a mysterious spiritual guru living in hiding at Ditchling Beacon.

This is the story of Brighton Wok, a feature film which could be on its way to becoming a cult classic.

While Brighton Rock featured the razor gangs of the 1930s and Quadrophenia starred 1960s mods and rockers, low-budget Brighton Wok portrays the city as being full of easy-going hippies.

Brighton Wok: The Legend of Ganja Boxing was made by brothers Gabriel and Saul Howard over four years.

After a successful screening at the Duke of York’s cinema last month, the brothers hope to get the film shown in cinemas, film clubs and pubs over the next few months.

They are hoping for a showing at the CineCity film festival in November, with an eye on the Cannes Film Festival next year.

Brighton Wok started as a short by the Howards, who have been making films since they were children.

When their parents offered to invest some money, they drew on an extended network of friends and family to help.

Many were drawn from people who knew the brothers as students at BHASVIC.

Producer Saul said: “Thousands of people came along to shoots and helped out. We were staggered by how much people put into it, but that’s Brighton for you.

“It is amazing how many professionals were willing to pitch in as well.

“Writing the credits was one of the hardest things.”

The £30,000 film’s soundtrack was written by saxophonist Ben Sarfas, 23, and was recorded with the help of his brothers and sisters.

Kung fu buffs Sam Byford-Winter and Richard Forsyth play the villain and hero respectively.

Gabriel, the film’s director, said: “We wanted to make the sort of film we’d like to go and see.”

The Howard brothers’ late father, Nigel, wrote the script and starred in the film. He died in April this year, a few months before Brighton Wok’s first screening, and the brothers dedicated the film to him.

The film is being shown at The Eagle in Gloucester Road, Brighton, at 7.30pm tonight and will also be screened at the Beachdown Festival at the Devil’s Dyke this weekend.