“Living” Based on Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 Japanese film “Ikiru,” which was inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s 1886 Russian novella “The Death of Ivan Ilyich, “is a British drama directed by Oliver Hermanus. Set in the 1950s, the story follows the life of an ordinary civil servant, Mr. Williams, who for years was bound by a rigid office routine and worked tirelessly in the county public works department.
Used to living a mundane life, his outlook on life changes drastically when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Now Mr. Williams decides to turn his boring life into something more memorable by pursuing the activities and hobbies he’s always wanted.
The dramatic story is complemented by brilliant on-screen performances from a group of talented actors and actresses, including Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp, Tom Burke, and Adrian Rawlins, making this eye-opening film all the more poignant. In addition, the mid-20th century setting of various locations in the background may raise questions in your mind about the actual filming locations of “Living”.
Where Was Living Movie Filmed?
“Living” was filmed completely in England, particularly in London, Chatham, Worthing, Brighton, and Guildford. According to reports, principal photography for the drama film took place in the summer of 2021, around June and July of that year.
As most of the story takes place in London, the crew decided to shoot the film on location in and around the capital itself.
England
Much of “Living” was recorded in London, the capital and largest city of England, as well as the United Kingdom. Witness for the Prosecution – County Hall on Belvedere Road in the London Borough of Lambeth served as one of the main production locations for the Bill Nighy starrer. Several key scenes were also shot in and around Waterloo Station, particularly around the London and South Western Railway Arch on Cab Road.
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Many key sequences for “Living” were filmed in Chatham, a town in Kent’s Medway unitary authority. To be specific, the film crew camped out at the Kings Theater at 338 High Street in Chatham and shot some important parts for the film. The city is home to many tourist attractions including the Chatham Naval Memorial, the Pentagon Mall, and Chatham City Hall to name a few.
The production team of “Living” also traveled to other locations throughout England for filming purposes. In mid-June 2021, cast and crew were spotted filming a cafe scene between Mr. Williams and Sutherland at the Lido Cafe on Marine Parade in Worthing.
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Additionally, Brighton railway station on Queens Road in Brighton served as another important filming location for the film. film. The scene where Mr. Williams and Miss Harris are seen leaving the theater was set around Tunsgate in Guildford.