Filmhounds were in Leicester Square on Thursday July 22nd interviewing some of the cast members for the very first premiere there since before the pandemic began, and what better a way to mark the occasion than for Off the Rails, a film that celebrates the joy of travelling.
A dying wish from their best friend Anna (Andrea Corr) compels Cassie (Kelly Preston), Kate (Jenny Seagrove), and Liz (Sally Phillips), to put old feuds aside and take her 17-year-old daughter (Elizabeth Dormer-Phillips) on an interrailing journey across Europe that they did not quite finish during their studies.
Now in their fifties, they are older but not necessarily wiser. With some bad luck, train strikes and romantic entanglements thrown in their way, the trip promises as many laughs and tears and self-discovery as the first time around. The question is: will they reach their destination in time to honour their friend's memory?
Jed Wagman spoke to Jenny Seagrove, Sally Phillips and Elizabeth Dormer-Phillips on the red carpet at the premiere.
Jenny Seagrove plays Kate
What was it like filming in so many incredible locations?
It was amazing! I hadn't been to any of them – other than Paris. I hadn't been to Barcelona, I hadn't been to Mallorca and it was absolutely brilliant.
Did you have a favourite location?
Mallorca.
The characters in the film have a really strong relationship, does that translate off screen as well between the cast?
Yes it does. We became very good friends. Sadly we've lost Kelly, but Sally and I, well we love each other. In our business it's very easy to make friends and then fall apart because you go on to different projects, but I think I'll know Sally when we're very old women.
What's it like to back in Leicester Square at a premiere again?
It's amazing. It's the first premiere since the pandemic started and I'm really proud to be kicking off the cinema season and I'm excited!
Sally Phillips plays Liz
What was it like filming in so many incredible locations?
It was fantastic, I'm a sucker for travel. I'll basically go anywhere, pretty much any job as long as someone pays for my flight out of the UK. Because my dad worked for British Airways I had a childhood abroad so I just feel comfortable and at home.
Did you have a favourite location?
Mallorca. I'd been there in my twenties when I was dating a Spanish clown and it was entirely different to the way I remember it.
The characters in the film have a really strong relationship, does that translate off screen as well between the cast?
Jules Williamson spent many years trying to direct a feature film and it's very hard for women to be allowed to direct feature films. It's getting easier but it's still only about 8%- but you are allowed to direct pornography and documentaries. She didn't do pornography; she did documentaries and so she shot the film as reality and so we acted like it was reality and she shot it like that. So the relationships had to become quite real because you couldn't just come in, say your line and leave because you might be shot at any time.
What's it like to back in Leicester Square at a premiere again?
Slightly freaky if I tell you the truth. There's no point pretending the world hasn't changed, it has changed, but it's so nice for so many reasons, to give this film a launch, mainly because of Kelly.
Elizabeth Dormer-Phillips plays Maddie
What was it like for you working with these experienced actresses?
It was amazing. They helped me through it quite a lot because obviously it's quite a strange thing to do for my first thing and they helped me through that emotionally, physically, mentally- everything. And I learned so much from them about acting but also about life as well.
How does it feel to be at a premiere in Leicester Square?
It's crazy! I never thought this was going to happen to me. This is the first red carpet I've ever done as well so it's really cool.
Off the Rails is in cinemas now.
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