Zawe Ashton and David Petch check into hotel to make short films starring Daisy Lowe and Shingai Shoniwa

 
At home in the Corinthia: Zawe Ashton and David Petch (Picture: Nigel Howard)
Amira Hashish14 April 2015
The Weekender

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Zawe Ashton “loved every part of the experience” of shooting her own film during a month-long stay at one of London's finest hotels.

The Place We Go To Hide, which stars model Daisy Lowe and Miranda actor Tom Ellis, was made on a budget of £15,000.

Ashton, 30, was a finalist alongside filmmaker David Petch in the Corinthia Hotel London’s artist in residence scheme for which up-and-coming directors, writers and producers were invited to submit proposals for short films around the theme of “the power of sleep”.

They were chosen as finalists by a panel of judges which included co-chairman of Working Title Films Eric Fellner, Sopranos director Mike Figgis, culture minister Ed Vaizey and Downton Abbey actor Dan Stevens, spending a month in residence at the five-star hotel to make their films.

Last night the pair celebrated the project with a screening and Q&A at a reception hosted in the venue's spectacular Massimo Restaurant.

Ashton, whose acting credits include Channel 4‘s Fresh Meat and award-winning Royal Court play Gone too Far! said: “I was thrilled and equally terrified to be chosen. Short films that are interesting are your calling card. But I loved every part of the experience and would encourage any budding filmmakers to get involved with this kind of initiative.”

Her short piece, entitled The Place We Go to Hide, focuses on two strangers who check into a hotel and have parallel lives during their waking hours but find each other in their sleep. A love story unfolds but the next day they have no memory of the night before.

Petch added: “To make a film you need some kind of budget and commercial freedom so this opportunity was amazing. It was also great to learn from my mentor Mike Figgis.”

His film, named We Always Do What We Want, meddles with the hotel’s geography and centres around a female character played by Noisettes singer Shingai Shoniwa.

Corinthia Hotel London's commercial director Matthew Dixon said: “Recognising talent and creativity is what I do a lot of for my role. Our Artist in Residence programme is another way to nurture talent in British arts.”

The next artist in residence scheme will put the spotlight on opera.

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