Channel 4 Commissions Landmark Films To Produce Follow Up To 'Strangest Village In Britain'

Landmark Films has been commissioned by Channel 4 to produce a follow-up to their acclaimed documentary, Strangest Village in Britain, with a look inside the UK’s leading training hotel for the mentally disabled.
'Strangest Hotel in Britain' will be broadcast during Channel 4’s 'Only Human' strand later this year.
Situated on the seafront in Minehead, Somerset, Foxes is a hotel with a difference. Established in 1996, it pioneers a thriving training academy for young people with special needs, providing experience and qualifications in the hotel trade for those often deemed incapable by society.
The 13-room hotel is home to and run by a 56-strong team of staff, all of whom suffer with mild learning disabilities. Staff are involved in all areas of the hotel’s activity including the preparation of meals, management of bookings and general grounds maintenance.
Nick O’Dwyer, Managing Director of Landmark Films commented: “Landmark is the only film crew ever to be invited to Foxes. The hotel is unique in what it does, and it’s thanks to the success of Strangest Village in Britain that we have been afforded the opportunity of telling the world about the fantastic work that takes place there.”
Simon Dickson, Commissioning Editor for Specialist Factual, Channel 4 commented: "Landmark's best documentary output is a powerful mixture of sensitivity and provocation. This charming and important film is smack-bang in that tradition."
Strangest Village in Britain achieved the highest viewing figures in Channel 4’s Only Human strand last year, drawing an audience of nearly 2.9m and a 13% share. The film is an insight into the remote North Yorkshire village of Botton, home to 200 residents who live alongside 100 permanently resident carers. 2005 saw a longer festival version of Strangest Village showcased at the Sheffield Documentary Festival. Since then, the film has won selection to film festivals in Vancouver, Montana, New York and Berlin.
Strangest Hotel in Britain (1x50) has been commissioned by Channel 4’s Simon Dickson for their Only Human strand. It is produced and directed by Rachel Bliss and exec produced by Nick O’Dwyer for Landmark. Strangest Hotel in Britain is due for delivery in October 2006 and is being distributed by iD Distribution.
(DS)