A historic pub transformed into a film set as actors and directors worked on a movie about prostitutes and an illegal cab driver.
The Cauliflower, High Road, Ilford, which made Historic England’s top 10 most unusual places given listed status in London in June, was the “perfect” location for filmmaker Naveen Medaram’s latest endeavour, Immigrant.
The 35-year-old producer from Hyderabad, India, who lives in Hainault, wrapped up the month-long shoot this week with director Harprit Dhanoa.
He cited the “beautiful” building’s unfinished refurbishment upstairs as one of the reasons for choosing the location for the gritty action-thriller.
“We were randomly searching for pubs and we came across the Cauliflower – it’s amazing, it’s a beautiful old pub and upstairs they’re refurbishing so it’s just perfect,” said Naveen, who has worked on Hollywood blockbusters such as Prince of Persia, Harry Potter and The Dark Knight as a visual effects artist.
“We asked if we could shoot here and they were happy for us to do so.”
Immigrant, which was written by Matthew Gunn, is the third film Naveen has produced and he says it has been inspired by Ilford.
“It’s about a prostitute and a pimp, an illegal cab driver and a murder – it’s very dark and gritty and there’s a lot of action,” he said. “And of course, Ilford has inspired it in some way – it’s everyday stuff here.”
The producer, who has worked on about 25 major Hollywood films, is hoping to enter his latest project in next year’s Cannes Film Festival.
For more information on Naveen’s work visit medanproductions.com
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