Kinky Boots

With the sudden death of his father, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) takes up the reins of the family's traditional, Northampton shoe business - Price and Sons. But Charlie quickly discovers it is not business as usual and without new orders, bankruptcy looms. As a sceptical workforce debate their novice manager, Charlie looks to London for solutions, and in a chance encounter, discovers sassy cabaret star, Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor), whose Soho world of outrageous fashion and stylish, erotic boots for men, opens his eyes to an intriguing niche market, a long way from men's classic brogues.

With trepidation, but spurred on by feisty, factory worker Lauren (Sarah Jane Potts), Charlie enlists Lola's help to diversify and make erotic women's boots for a male market. But Lola's arrival at the provincial factory is greeted with ridicule and animosity, not least by Nicola, Charlie's girlfriend (Jemima Rooper). The hapless but lovable Charlie ploughs ahead with Lola, who hiding her own insecurities, takes charge of design and employs some of her show-stopping bravado to help win over the fractured workforce and bring the boots to life.

With only weeks to go until the crucial Milan Shoe Fair, the factory is in full swing with leopard skins and PVC replacing the bronzed suedes and shiny leather, but it is now Charlie's drive for perfection and success which threatens the production line and Milan. Finally the pressure gets to Charlie and he turns on Lola, loosing his biggest asset and ally on the eve of the Milan Shoe Fair.

Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Joel Edgerton, Kinky Boots is currently showing in the West End of London and selected cinemas around the UK. The UK full theatrical release is on October 7th 2005 with a limited US release on the same day.

The film is based on the true story of Steve Pateman, who took over the running of W.J. Brooks, an old fashioned shoe & boot manufacturer from his father.

"Shaving his legs and learning to walk in six inch stiletto heels are just two of the things Steve Pateman is doing to save his family business. For four generations the Patemans have been making traditional men's footwear, but a strong pound and cheap imports have taken away his customers. He's convinced his father that making thigh length boots and high heel shoes strong enough for 15 stone men is the answer."

This inspirational story was filmed as part of the BBC documentary series 'Trouble at the Top' as W.J. Brooks became 'The Kinky Boot Factory'. Watched by 3.2 million people, it became one of the most talked about programmes in the series. Though despite his efforts the factory eventually closed, Steve is still in business on a smaller scale, and you can find much more information on the The Kinky Boot Factory's Official Site (link below).

Official Movie Site

Official Site of The Kinky Boot Factory