Johnians at the private screening of Red Joan in the Soho Hotel, London. Photo: James Helyar

Red Joan screening

On Tuesday 9 April, the Johnian Society hosted a private screening of Red Joan in the Soho Hotel, London. The film is based on a book of the same name, written by Johnian author Jennie Rooney (1998). Below, the Secretary of the Johnian Society, Colin Burrows (1978), recaps the evening and gives insights into how the film was shot.

Jennie Rooney (1998) introducing the film. Photo: James Helyar

When Jennie Rooney (1998) began her research into the real case of Melita Norwood, the ‘granny spy’, it was perhaps inevitable that the resulting fictional book, Red Joan, would feature the College as a prominent location. Joan, the heroine of the story, who is played by Judi Dench when she is uncovered as a spy and Sophie Cookson in the earlier years of her life, was at Cambridge in the 1930s and became attracted to Leo, a young foreign student studying at St John’s.

Left: Colin Burrows (1978). Right: David Parfitt. Photo: James Helyar

Producer David Parfitt (Shakespeare in love, Madness of King George) and his team rose to the challenge, working with the Domestic Bursar, Mark Wells (1981), to keep the disruption to a minimum. The results can be seen in the finished film.

The screening on Tuesday was introduced by Mark Wells, now Chair of the Johnian Society. Jennie Rooney then shared how fortuitous the film deal was, with Trevor Nunn (Downing College 1959) having the book recommended to him by a book shop worker. Just before the lights dimmed, David Parfitt expressed his gratitude to the College for their help in making the shoot happen.

Mark Wells, David Parfitt and Jennie Rooney at the screening. Photo: James Helyar

There is much for Johnians to enjoy in the film, particularly the recreation of the 1930s view from the Chapel Tower. But, as you watch, spare a thought for Sophie Cookson enjoying a picnic on the lawn beside the river and New Court. It’s a summer scene filmed on 6 December. I was watching the shoot dressed in full winter gear as Sophie in her thin dress acted ‘warm’. That’s proper acting.

Filming the picnic scene in December, with Sophie Cookson and Tom Hughes. Photo: Parisa Taghizadeh © Trademark (Red Joan) Ltd 2018

A final word of congratulations to the Master. Had science not claimed him, what a great Locations Manager he would have made. As the noise of the workers on the lifts in E Staircase echoed across the set and Assistant Directors looked at each other nervously, with a literally magisterial wave of the Master’s hand, work was paused, silence reigned and Sophie could be heard.

Professor Sir Christopher Dobson at the screening. Photo: James Helyar

Red Joan will hit UK cinemas on 19 April 2019.
Read more about the author Jennie Rooney and the songs that inspire her on pages 24–5 of the spring Johnian magazine, mailing April 2019.

Still from the Red Joan film, with St John’s in the background. Photo: Parisa Taghizadeh © Trademark (Red Joan) Ltd 2018