Written by on Apr 14, 2014. Posted in On Location

Period political drama Suffragette films on location in Houses of Parliament

Period political feature Suffragette has become the first movie to film on location in the Houses of Parliament in central London. The film tells a fictional story against the backdrop of the Suffragettes’ campaign to secure the vote for women in the early 20th Century.

Filming was scheduled during Parliament’s Easter break to minimise disruption. Future productions planning to shoot in the Houses of Parliament will be authorised on a case-by-case basis as a new way to raise money for Parliament’s general upkeep.

“The Committee is pleased to open the House for the filming of Suffragette as it will help to bring an important period of our country's history to a wider audience,” said Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, Chair of the House of Commons Administration Committee.

“As a British film which clearly relates to Parliament’s history and heritage, this is an ideal pilot for the House of Commons to identify the opportunities for location filming and income generation.”

Added Suffragette director Sarah Gavron: “Our film is inspired by the true stories of the foot soldiers of the Suffragette movement, women who were willing to sacrifice everything in their fight for the right to vote."

This is an ideal pilot for the House of Commons to identify the opportunities for location filming and income generation.

Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, Chair of the House of Commons Administration Committee

“We are honoured to be allowed to recreate a crucial moment in that long journey towards equality by filming where the Suffragettes actually brought their protest over 100 years ago,” Gavron added.

Iconic central London locations are being seen more frequently on the big screen. Bond movie Skyfall filmed extensively around Whitehall and Tom Cruise’s upcoming sci-fi thriller Edge of Tomorrow negotiated the brief closure of Trafalgar Square to film scenes at the famous landmark.