About the Cornish fishermen who became musical stars

Dave Johns has started filming his next film, a comedy set in a small angling community called Fisherman’s Friends.

The film is inspired by the true story of the fishermen of Port Isaac in Cornwall, who went from singing sea shanties in the village harbour to a deal with Island Records, a top-ten album and performing on the main Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.

Its story revolves around the culture clash  between a cynical music executive who travels to Cornwall and the fishermen, who are sceptical about the music business.

The ensemble cast also includes Daniel Mays, James Purefoy, David Hayman, Sam Swainsbury, Tuppence Middleton, Maggie Steed  and Noel Clarke.

Fisherman’s Friends is directed by Chris Foggin, marking his second feature after 2016’s Kids In Love, which starred Jamie Blackley and Cara Delevingne.

The film is produced by James Spring, Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft, the team behind last year’s dancing comedy Finding Your Feet, which featured Joanna Lumley, Celia Imrie, Timothy Spall and Imelda Staunton, and is written by Leonard and Moorcroft along with Piers Ashworth.

In a statement, Leonard and Moorcroft said: ‘As soon as we saw the news headline about ten singing fishermen signing a million pound record deal we knew this was a story that had to be told and one that audiences would want to see.’

James Scott of Legacy, which is handling international sales, added: ‘The script has struck a chord with buyers around the world who have responded to this universal tale of camaraderie. The film is a celebration of humanity and it’s a joy to be involved.’

After winning acclaim – and a handful of awards – for starring in I, Daniel Blake, stand-up Johns has starred in the wrestling comedy Walk Like a Panther and the forthcoming Two Graves,  a 'neo-noir' thriller set in the North East of England.

He will also appear in Trautmann,  a biopic of legendary German goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, later this year and Ravers, about a contaminated energy drink that turns an illegal rave into a nightmare, next year.

Published: 8 May 2018