March 15th, Swanage, UK – The Mowlem Institute Charity is excited to reveal its first-ever Patron, Edgar Wright [IMDb], the award-winning English filmmaker. Edgar Wright, born and raised in Swanage before moving to Somerset, is best known for his comedic Three Flavours Cornetto film trilogy; Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World’s End (2013).
During the summer of 2022, Edgar and his brother, Oscar Wright [IMDb], visited The Mowlem during a trip to the town. Posting on Instagram, Edgar wrote: “Some films we saw at the Mowlem on first release include; the Ralph Bakshi animated ‘Lord Of The Rings’, ‘Watership Down’, ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ and ‘Clash Of The Titans’. So glad it’s still here and showing movies!”
Wright’s connection to the local area also includes his attendance at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design (now Arts University Bournemouth) in 1994, where he received a National Diploma in Audio-Visual Design before going on to make his first feature film, A Fistful of Fingers, shortly after in 1995. In 2018 the Arts University Bournemouth awarded Wright an Honorary Fellowship.
Wright is also credited with co-writing and directing the cult classic Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010), the action film Baby Driver (2017), the music documentary The Sparks Brothers (2021), and the psychological horror film Last Night in Soho (2021).
“I was born and raised in Dorset and lived in Swanage until I was 7. The Mowlem was one of the first cinemas I ever attended, and it was partly responsible for a film fandom that continues to this day. Some movies I saw there in first release with my parents and older brother Oscar, included the Ralph Bakshi animated ‘Lord Of The Rings’, ‘Watership Down’, ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ and ‘Clash Of The Titans’.”
“I returned to Swanage for a break last summer and was thrilled that the Mowlem was still showing movies. Standing in the auditorium again was a very pleasant experience, and I hope to be down again soon. I am proud to be a patron; I’m a film director now, but I never stopped being a film-goer. Keep up the great work.” Said, Edgar Wright.