Filming takes place in Hastings for new movie about the first English woman to swim the Channel

Filming has been taking place in Hastings Old Town for a new film about the first British woman to swim the English Channel
Channel swimmer film 2 SUS-200729-103547001Channel swimmer film 2 SUS-200729-103547001
Channel swimmer film 2 SUS-200729-103547001

The setting for the shoot was one of the Fishermen’s Museum’s net huts and the 100-year old fishing boat Edward and Mary RX 74 at Rock-a-Nore.

The Stables Theatre provided extras in period costume for the morning’s shoot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The film Vindication Swim is being shot by Elliott Hasler, who at 19 is the UK’s youngest film director.

Channel swimmer film 1 SUS-200729-103414001Channel swimmer film 1 SUS-200729-103414001
Channel swimmer film 1 SUS-200729-103414001

Elliott, from Hove, completed his first feature Charlie’s Letters at the age of 16 after a three year production.

The film was set in the Second World War and based on his Great Grandfather’s war-time experiences.

It premiered as part of the Edinburgh and Brighton fringe festivals in 2017.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His father Simon, who helped set up the Hastings shoot, explained: “We would like to thank the actors at the Stables who could not have been more helpful.

“It was very important for us to include locations in Sussex and we love Hastings Old Town - it was the obvious choice.

“We have already shot more than an hour of the film and there is an hour to go. Elliott is hoping to preview the film at the Cannes Festival when it is completed.”

Vindication Swim is a biopic of Mercedes Gleitze, who grew up in Brighton and in 1927 became the first British woman to complete a cross-channel swim after successfully battling 1920’s patriarchal British society.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Elliott runs his own company Relsah Productions and, as well as filming, writes and edits all the work.