Idris Elba and Gemma Arterton star in new independent film A Hundred Streets

 
'The real London': Samantha Barks in a scene shot by the River Thames
Alexandra Rucki9 September 2014

An independent film starring Idris Elba and Gemma Arterton is aiming to show the "real London" while raising money for charity.

A Hundred Streets, which is currently being filmed in Battersea, tells the tale of four different people living in the capital and has been financed through charitable donations.

Former Bond girl Arterton plays the character of Emily, the estranged wife of Max played by Luther actor Elba.

The pair have been snapped filming early scenes in Battersea Park with two young children playing their offspring.

Star studded cast: Idris Elba plays Max (Picture: AP)

A Hundred Streets is the brainchild of first time moviemaker Leon Butler, a property developer who turned his hand to film-making after being inspired to tell the story of London’s ‘Big Society’.

Mr Butler, who lives in Battersea, said: “Everyone lives harmoniously most of the time but mostly everyone lives in a bubble in London, it does have a great community but it has to be forced, really pushed.

He added: “You see the many dark kitchen sink films or Notting Hill, Love Actually type films made about London. That is not the real London. Kidulthood and Notting Hill are both filmed in Ladbroke Grove but in Notting Hill you don’t see kids in hoods walking around.”

Main role: former Bond girl Gemma Arterton (Picture: Getty)
Getty

The film, initially called One Square Mile, is supporting charities School of Hard Knocks, Storm, Bedhead Football Club and Cauldwell Children. A number of fundraising events have taken place alongside in the run-up to filming and youngsters from the charities have been given starring roles.

Filming culminates with a charity fun run in Battersea Park tomorrow, with parts of the run being used in the film.

The cast also includes Les Miserables star Samantha Barks, Hobbit actor Ken Stott and Layer Cake actor Jamie Foreman.

A Hundred Streets is set to be released late 2015.

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