A PAIR of Wivenhoe artists were given starring roles in a film from an award-winning director which has won praise from critics.

Director Joanna Hogg’s dark relationship drama The Souvenir won the World Cinema Dramatic prize at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in America this year.

As well as starring Tilda Swinton and her daughter Honor Swinton Byrne, the film features performances from James Dodds and Barbara Peirson, who are both well-known painters from Wivenhoe.

The duo, who are friends off-screen, play joint-lead Tom Burke’s parents in a scene in the film.

Ms Peirson is a trained actor and artistic director of Colchester’s Lakeside Theatre, but to Mr Dodds acting on film was a completely new experience.

Gazette: Artist Barbara Peirson Artist Barbara Peirson

“I received an email from the casting director asking if I would consider being in the film,” he said.

“I thought someone was pulling my leg at first but after a bit of a think I sent a polite reply.

“Joanna Hogg is a director who likes to have non actors in the cast.

“She came to see me in Wivenhoe and obviously I was what she wanted.

“When she came down she said it is easy to teach an artist how to act but hard to teach an actor to paint.”

The story, which is a part fiction version of Hogg’s own experiences at film school, portrays an emotionally fraught relationship between a student and a charismatic older man.

The title refers to the painting of the same name by Jean-Honoré Fragonard which is also featured in the film.

Making things more difficult for acting novice Mr Dodds, there was no script for the scenes the duo were part of.

He said: “They took my studio up to Norfolk for the shoot.

“There was no script and so we had to ad-lib.

“First of all when I greeted Tim I thought I would greet him as I would my own son and I gave him a hug and called him ‘matey boy’. But that wasn’t what Joanna wanted.

“She likes to see how people react on camera before telling you what to do.”

Gazette: Mr Dodds painted portraits of cast members whilst on setMr Dodds painted portraits of cast members whilst on set

Although the pair shot four separate scenes during the filming process, only one was used in the final cut of the film, which was released at UK cinemas on Friday.

Mr Dodds, who is best known for his paintings of boats and boat building, said: “You realise how much hard work acting is.

“Most of the time I am working on my own and it is only really private viewings where I have to perform.

“It was wonderful to be part of a great big team of people.

“I think the director had seen a little film of me which my daughter made but it was a complete shock to be asked.

“Me and Barbara have shown our work together and Wivenhoe has quite a close artistic community. We all help each other along.

“Barbara is a trained actress and they wanted someone to play my wife so I suggested she do it.

“It was very nice having her there with me as she knows what she is doing.”

The Souvenir has proved to be instant critical success, with a rating of 91 per cent on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.

There is also early Bafta buzz surrounding the film and its stars.

The Sundance Film Festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Prize has been won by films like An Education in previous years.

Mr Dodds said: “It was difficult to watch it objectively because I was in it and I was thinking all the time about what had and hadn’t been cut from the film.

“But it is lovely to be a part of it and there is talk it will be up for some awards.

“I won’t give up my day job just yet but we have been given a little part in Souvenir 2 which we’ve filmed.”

He added: “It did seem a bit easier the second time around.”

The film is now available to see in cinemas across the UK.

To find out more about the work of Ms Peirson and Mr Dodds visit barbarapeirson.com and jamesdodds.co.uk.