Midlands Spotlight - Award-winning film Hello Darlin'
After featuring in our 2020 “Hot List” of Midlands films to look out for, Hello Darlin’ finally gets a general release courtesy of Sutopia Films.
Sutopia are based in the West Midlands and are partnering with Janson Media to release their award-winning feature film Hello Darlin’.
Hello Darlin’ follows the story of ex-paratrooper turned armed robber Les Dalton (Doug Allen) as he is released from prison and starts to build a relationship with his estranged daughter Holly (Daisy Badger).
The film poses a question as to the whereabouts of unrecovered gold bullion and Dalton’s ex-wife Carol (Siân Reeves) is intrigued as anyone. Yet Dalton claims he knows nothing about the missing hoard. Forming an unlikely relationship with his new next-door neighbour Aanya (Nimmi Harasgama), she helps guides him through the deceit that turns his world upside down.
Hello Darlin’ is the debut feature film of producer Patrick Carney Junior who also plays the role of the ex-Police Detective Derek Clayton in the film. “I’m now into my seventies and it has been a roller-coaster ride getting my first film as a producer in the can. I couldn’t have wished for a better cast and crew. I’m so proud of everything we have all achieved. It’s been a dream come true for me”, says Patrick.
Hello Darlin’ stars Doug Allen (Band of Brothers, Once upon a Time in London) who picked up the Best Male Actor Award at the Mindfield Film Festival for his role of Les Dalton.
Siân Reeves is one of the most recognisable faces on British Television having had high profile roles in major TV series such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale Farm, Cutting it and Cockney and Scouse.
Award-winning Nimmi Harasgama (Funny Boy, Good Karma Hospital) plays the role of neighbour Anya and Daisy Badger (The Archers, Home Fires), who picked up the award for Best Supporting Actor at the ‘This Guys Film Awards’, plays daughter Holly.
During its festival circuit, Hello Darlin’ was an Official Selection in eighteen different festivals and picked up the Best International Film award at the Mile High International Film Festival and Austin International Art Festival.
“To pick up the Best Film Overall Award at our home Film Festival in Birmingham and to be able to share that moment with some of the cast and crew who worked so hard on our project was a memorable evening,” said director Gary Delaney.
Other awards included Best Feature Film, Best Feature Score, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and two Best Director awards for Gary Delaney.
Producer Patrick Carney Junior went on to say, “To have Janson Media pick up the film has been the icing on the cake. I’m very grateful and excited that they saw the potential in the film that the film festival organisers also recognised.”
For more information on the film check out the following sites for updates and release info: