Published: 14 November, 2013
by PAVAN AMARA

FILM bosses making a Paddington Bear movie in Primrose Hill are understood to have paid out large sums of money to compensate residents for the disruption the big-budget production has caused them.

Cameras were rolling in Chalcot Crescent this week for scenes starring Nicole Kidman, Peter Capaldi and Jim Broadbent.

To make up for the disturbance caused by trailers and heavy equip ment in the neighbour hood, producers made a “very healthy” donation to the Primrose Hill Community Centre and reportedly pledged to hold a one-off special fundraiser for the area’s volunteer-run library.

Marmalade Films denied suggestions that residents in the street were also paid fees to compensate them for shooting outside their front door.

A sign of the scale of the film, however, could be found in the facelift given to Maida Vale tube station in a separate shoot over the weekend. It was temporarily rebranded “Westbourne Oak”.

One Chalcot Crescent resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It is a nuisance but there’s no bad blood between us. It’s not just the money that helped with that. Paddington’s a national treasure, so it’s not any old film.”

The movie, due out next year, is about one of children’s literature’s most famous characters: Michael Bond’s Peruvian bear in the blue coat and red hat, with a love of marmalade sarnies. Ms Kidman was spotted in a trenchcoat with her hair styled in a blonde bob. 

Another Chalcot Crescent resident added: “I’m not sure how much everyone else is getting. There are lots of cables and celebrities everywhere, and at times they don’t want us coming out our front doors because they’re filming, so it does get in the way.”

In early October resi dents were sent letters apologising for inconv en ience caused by the filming. Then came the “very healthy donation” to Primrose Hill Comm un ity Association and an offered of help to Primrose Hill Library.

A spokeswoman for Marmalade Films said claims any individual residents had been paid are “untrue”. 

Mick Hudspeth, who has chaired the Primrose Hill Community Association for 10 years, said: “Compared to other films that have been shot in the area, this company seemed very responsible and has financially contributed to the area.”