Legend of The East End Exhibition Brings Kray Legend to Life & Iconic photography to the Heart of the East End - UPCOMING FILM EXHIBITION - VISIT LONDON

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 Craig Grobler 1 Comments

T o celebrate the upcoming release of the new Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy starrer Legend into UK cinemas on 9 September. StudioCanal are bringing an exciting and iconic LEGEND OF THE EAST END Exhibition to the heart of the East End 28th August - 11th September 2015.

We have been quietly anticipating director Brian Helgeland's tale of the notorious 60s London crime lords - The Kray twins for awhile now. Helgeland has been building up a varied and impressive portfolio of work including being involved in the writing or adaptation of; Paul Greengrass' Green Zone, Tony Scott's Man on Fire, Richard Donner's Conspiracy Theory, Clint Eastwood's Mystic River & Curtis Hanson's superbe 50s crime thriller L.A. Confidential. as well as directing corkers like; A Knight's Tale and the Mel Gibson remake of John Boorman's phenomenal Point Blank - Payback.

To be fair I'm not a particular fan of straight up 50/60s British crime thrillers they always seem to unsuccessfully offset downbeat kitchen sink realism with tinsel glamour. There are of course notable exceptions, one of them being Paul McGuigan's much underrated Gangster No. 1. Yet despite being a peak in modern art, music, fashion and culture with Britain bouncing back after World War II the swinging sixties struggles to be framed as an attractive period in film. But Helgeland's work on Payback and L.A. Confidential are more than enough to have me very interested in seeing what he does with 60s London.

Ronnie Kray and Reggie Kray Drink Tea Image: © Hulton Archive Getty Images(ZOOM)

They were the best years of our lives. They called them the swinging sixties. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones were rulers of pop music, Carnaby Street ruled the fashion world, and me and my brother ruled London.” - Ronnie Kray, in his autobiographical book, My Story

It looks like Brian Helgeland is already bringing his A game as he has managed to assemble an incredibly talented, and very strong, craft oriented cast for Legend. Which includes; Emily Browning, Paul Bettany, Taron Egerton, Chazz Palminteri, Christopher Eccleston and the legend that is Mr. David Thewlis - which will no doubt be a key strength of the film, particularly with performers having to bounce off Tom Hardy in what may be a career re-defining performance for him, in the dual roles of Ronnie and Reggie Kray.

In a quirk Legend pulls former Gangster No. 1 co-stars David Thewlis and Paul Bettany back into the 60s London underworld.

In the 1960s, they were widely seen as prosperous and charming celebrity nightclub owners and were part of the Swinging London scene. A large part of their fame was due to their non-criminal activities as popular figures on the celebrity circuit, being photographed by David Bailey* on more than one occasion; and socialising with lords, MPs, socialites and show business characters including actors George Raft, Judy Garland, Diana Dors, Barbara Windsor and singer Frank Sinatra. - From Wikepedia

* Aneurin Barnard will be playing a young David Bailey before he became the master photographer and Legend we now know. Which brings me to - Legend will be in UK cinemas from the 9th September in the meantime StudioCanal's The LEGEND OF THE EAST END Exhibition will brings the Kray Legend back to life with a rare look into the lives of the notorious East End gangsters - Ronald "Ronnie" Kray and Reginald "Reggie" Kray aka The Kray Twins, a look behind the scenes of the making of the new Legend film, an amazing opportunity to view - iconic East End photography from Steven Berkoff, Duffy & Don McCullin as well as a FIRST LOOK at Jocelyn Bain Hogg's The Firm- a photographic retrospective documenting the British organized crime world.

Legend Legend tells the story of two twins, Reggie and Ronald Kray and how they became two of the most notorious gangsters in history. Director: Brian Helgeland Writer: Brian Helgeland, John Pearson Stars: Tom Hardy, Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Taron Egerton, Paul Bettany, Aneurin Barnard, David Thewlis, Christopher Eccleston, Chazz Palminteri

Legend Film Poster(ZOOM)

The photo below captures final preparations are made to an immersive photography exhibition focusing on the Krays and their legacy in the heart of London’s East End. LEGEND OF THE EAST END opens tomorrow (Friday) for two weeks to coincide with the release of LEGEND in UK cinemas on September 9th in which Tom Hardy plays Kray twins Ronnie and Reggie.

Collection Managers hang a set of recently rediscovered prints from Duffy featuring Reggie Kray sparring with his Grandfather the infamous bare-knuckle fighter Jimmy ‘Cannonball’ Lee. (ZOOM)

Incidentally the photos - part of a collection of recently rediscovered Duffy prints can be purchased over on the official Duffy website here: http://www.duffyphotographer.com/rediscovered-krays-images-2/ which is running a special whilst the Legend of The East End Exhibition is on.

Key elements that can be viewed at the LEGEND OF THE EAST END Exhibition includes:

Photography of the East End and Krays in the 50s-60s from iconic photographers:

FURTHER READING
East End Photographs by Steven Berkoff
Pirelli - The Calendar. 50 Years And More
Duffy / Bowie – Five Sessions
Don McCullin

Steven Berkoff - http://www.stevenberkoff.com
Steven Berkoff, a Stepney local is probably most well know for his his work on stage and screen but...

Fifty years ago a keen young photographer, Steven Berkoff, captured the East End as it was then: the shops, the streets and particularly the people. Remarkable for the photography, and remarkable as social history. - From stevenberkoff.com

Brian Duffy - http://www.duffyphotographer.com/
When it comes to 60s photography very few do not know the remarkable work of Duffy. He is considered one of the most influential photographers of all time and much of his works in fashion and music are hailed as cultural icons.

Don McCullin
Most well known for his striking war photography renowned photographer and author Don McCullin has like many other photographers written many books and won many acclaimed awards but Don McCullin is the only photographer to have ever received a CBE and be made Commander of the British Empire.

In 1993 McCullin was the first photojournalist to be made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), he is the author of more than a dozen books, and is recognised as one of the greatest war photographers in history. - From Don McCullin's biography on The Hamiltons Gallery website.

A first look at Jocelyn Bain Hogg's The Firm – personal depictions of The Firm and Reggie Kray's funeral, exhibited in Europe for the very first time. - http://www.jocelynbainhogg.eu/index.cfm

The Firm is a searing photographic document of the British organized crime world, which received instant recognition. Over a four-year period Bain Hogg documented different aspects of the underworld, from exile in Tenerife to the broad spectrum of activity in the United Kingdom. Since Brighton Rock in the 1940s, photographers and film directors have been trying to capture the personalities and characteristics of the British urban gangster on film. These are not the faces of criminals who hide behind the facade of respectability or the corruption of political influence. They are, in fact, the real thing, men who hold their head up when challenged, and who seek no false redemption in the face of public vilification. Bain Hogg has captured for the first time in The Firm the weft and warp of these faces to whom violence is common currency and to whom loyalty is above all. - From Jocelyn Bain Hogg's website http://www.jocelynbainhogg.eu/portfolio.cfm?nK=2502&nS=0&nL=1

Artefacts on display from the Kray Brothers including:
- Original Ronnie Kray suits
- Childhood photos from the lives of Ronnie and Reggie Kray
- The Kray’s living room recreated with wallpaper, sofas and tea
- William Lovelace Krays photo courtesy of Getty Images

Behind the scenes on StudioCanal's upcoming Legend: The Movie:
- Photographic prints of film stills
- 15 minute featurette
- Film quotes

VIDEO: LEGEND - NEW GANGSTER TRAILER

What defines the East End’s unique character and spirit, and why have its streets and residents long captured the public imagination? With the East End now a place where creativity, commerce and enterprise mix as the wealth of the city spreads eastwards, LEGEND OF THE EAST END offers a snapshot of a bygone era and invites everyone to explore the East End old and new.

Final preparations are made to an immersive photography exhibition focusing on the Krays and their legacy in the heart of London’s East End. LEGEND OF THE EAST END opens tomorrow (Friday) for two weeks to coincide with the release of LEGEND in UK cinemas on September 9th in which Tom Hardy plays Kray twins Ronnie and Reggie. (ZOOM)

Celebrating the release of LEGEND, in cinemas on September 9, Brian Helgeland’s eagerly awaited film starring Tom Hardy as both Reggie and Ronnie Kray and charting the story of the rise and fall of the Kray twins as they achieved notoriety in London in the 1960’s, LEGEND OF THE EAST END is an immersive and content rich exhibition featuring the photography of Don McCullin, Brian Duffy, Steven Berkoff, and Jocelyn Bain Hogg, bringing the Kray legend to life in the heart of their manor for the very first time.

Created by STUDIOCANAL and curated by respected photography expert and exhibition producer Zelda Cheatle, LEGEND OF THE EAST END brings together highly personal pieces that have captured in their own unique style the spirit of the East End from the 60s until present day with additional images supplied by Getty and the Museum of London.

The diverse collection of candid photographs brings to life the surrounding streets, paved with legend, where everyone has a story of The Firm and the Krays’ impact on the East End.

Rarely seen images from Brian Duffy and Don McCullin capture a city awakening from the rubble of World War 2 with a real sense of life, where firm and family came first, while haunting recollections from Jocelyn Bain Hogg, exhibited in Europe for the first time, depict the life of The Firm and Reggie Kray’s funeral.

Artefacts on display include early family photos and suits worn by Ronnie Kray. Depicting the softer side of Kray life, visitors will be able to enjoy a cup of tea in a replica of Violet Kray’s living room featuring family photos and 60s wallpaper, whilst experiencing a captivating audio visual installation of interviews with local people who knew or have knowledge of the Krays bringing the legends to life.

Curator Zelda Cheatle says: “It has been fascinating to discover more about the East End, in particular the Krays, who have a special place in the hearts of East Enders.

“The exhibition looks at the East End of the 60's and 70's, brought to life by the people who lived there, the photographers who captured everyday life, the undercurrents that continue to exist and importantly it reflects the poetry of the streets. Whether you are a visitor to the East End or a long time resident, there will be something to discover about this neighbourhood and maybe a new way of evaluating it.”

The exhibition also shines a light on the evolution of the East End which for many in the 60s seemed impervious and overlooked, even defiant to changes. The Kray’s East End around Bethnal Green Road and Shoreditch is now transformed into one of the most exciting and dynamic areas of London, but the Legend lives on.

Visitors will also be able to pick up a specially created map that celebrates THE LEGEND OF THE EAST END and will help everyone explore the old and new.

Visitlondon.com will also be supporting LEGEND OF THE EAST END with a dedicated site section featuring a downloadable version of the map, highlights for visitors to the area and related content around film tourism.

Immerse yourself in the Legend when you visit the LEGEND OF THE EAST END exhibition from 28th August.

LEGEND is released by STUDIOCANAL in UK cinemas on September 9th.

Legend of The East End Exhibition
When:
28th August - 11th September, Monday-Friday: 11.00 – 20.00, Saturday: 10.00 – 19.00, Sunday: 09.00 – 18.00

Where:

135 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2, UK (Station: Shoreditch High Street)

Admission:
Free

http://www.legend-the-movie.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LegendFilmUK
@LegendFilmUK

The Establishing Shot: LEGEND OF THE EAST END - ICONIC EXHIBITION BRINGS KRAY LEGEND TO LIFE IN THE HEART OF THE EAST END - UPCOMING PHOTO EXHIBITION

Craig Grobler always riding easy Buh, neh! Neh! Neh! Neh! Swamp!

Craig is a retired superhero, an obsessive hobbyist, comics fan, gadget lover & flâneur who knows an unhealthy amount about Ian Fleming's James Bond.

When not watching or making films he takes pictures, eats, drinks, dives, mentally storyboards the greatest film ever made & sometimes utilises owl-themed gadgets to fight crime.

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