COWBOYS rode into the quaint streets of a traditional Suffolk village as the Wild West met the east coast.
COWBOYS rode into the quaint streets of a traditional Suffolk village as the Wild West met the east coast.
Orford residents leapt at the opportunity of taking a starring role in the film Gestures produced in the style of famous Italian director Sergio Leone.
The production was a family affair for producer Mike Hodge, who runs Orford Supply Stores, and his wife Natasha.
She had a film role and her father Michael Woollard, of Sudbourne, was the producer while his wife Valerie created some of the scenery.
Eight-year-old twins Jacob and Jocelyn Hodge were not in the film - but they did not miss out on the action as they held the cutting board when required.
Mr Hodge, 42, is hoping the ten-minute film could receive worldwide acclaim if it is shown at an international film festival in Edinburgh or America.
But closer to home there is a private screening at Aldeburgh Cinema for those involved in the making of Gestures.
Mr Hodge is sharing the £10,000 cost of the film with his co producer Michael Mooney.
Mrs Hodge said: “The shop is at the centre of the village, we pretty much know everybody and it was great to have the support of the village for the film.
“It was a major project for us to do but we have some great characters in Orford and they lent themselves brilliantly to the film. It was a dream come true for the two Mikes.”
The shopkeepers have a background in the film industry. They met while working at Angels, a costume company in London, and Mr Hodge also knew Mr Mooney through the company.
Mr Hodge said: “It was great fun and we had people walking up and down Orford dressed up as cowboys and girls but they have had to wait two years to see the results.”
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