Award-winning Essex-based production company, Longhurst and Putt Productions, have
had their latest feature film, Tales of the Underworld, selected for the 2026 Southend Film
Festival in June.
Now in its 17th year, the three day annual festival features locally made, UK and
international films with patrons of the event including celebrated British actors Ray
Winstone, Vicki Michelle, Phil Davis, and – one of the stars of Tales of the Underworld
Tony Denham.
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Directed by Darren S. Cook and produced by A.G. Longhurst (Longhurst and Putt
Productions) and Nicky Hagan (Scruffy Bear Media), Tales of the Underworld is the prequel
to the award-winning Lucas and Albert which took home the coveted ‘Best Film’ accolade
at the 2021 National Film Awards, beating titles like Sam Mendes’s 1917 and Stephen
Merchant’s Fighting with My Family.
Told through the eyes of a journalist digging too deep, Tales of the Underworld exposes a
ruthless criminal empire where missing men, police informants, and shifting loyalties make
survival a dangerous game. Fans of Lucas and Albert will be thrilled to see the titular
characters make their return to the big screen, as well as a host of new characters that will
connect some of the dots from the original film.
Darren S. Cook said:
“We’re thrilled to have been selected for the screening at Southend Film Festival in June. It
feels like a real homecoming to have the first festival screening take place within the Essex
borders, and with some of our cast and crew hailing from Southend, it’s a chance to see
some local talent show exactly what their all about. We’d like to extend our thanks to Paul
Cotgrove, Vanda, and all the festival team for their hard work.”
Tales of the Underworld premiered at the Century Cinema, Clacton in January and is just
beginning its festival run. The London premiere is due to take place in the coming months
at The Prince Charles Cinema (more details to follow) with a select run at carefully chosen
independent cinemas across the UK in the autumn.
A.G. Longhurst said:
“Having seen the film up on the big screen in January, there really is nothing like it. And for
residents of Southend and the surrounding areas, this is a local film having been filmed just
a stones throw round the coast in the Tendring area of North Essex. We’re encouraging our
Essex neighbours to do what we do best and come and support this local production and
see some of the familiar sights play a key role in our film.”
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The screening at Southend Film Festival will be at 20:00 on Friday 5th June in the Royal
View Suite at The Palace Hotel with short film ‘Piss ‘n’ Chips’ by Turkino Faso and starring
Ella Bardot to screen beforehand.
Tickets for the screening are available here: https://totu.short.gy/sff-totu
Full details of all further film festival appearances and cinema release will be announced on
the Lucas and Albert Film Universe Facebook and Instagram pages as soon as available.
Lucas and Albert is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime and Pluto TV.
Watch the trailer for Tales of the Underworld: https://youtu.be/7Y77UdlzeUs
