Two young actors from Cornwall are appearing on the silver screen this month.

Richard and Laurence Pears from St Austell worked with Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in Ladies in Lavender.

One of the most eagerly awaited films of the year had its world premiere on Monday 8th November.

'Ladies in Lavender is the first film to be directed by the well known actor Charles Dance.

It stars Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.

Ladies in Lavender was filmed around the Lizard in West Cornwall in a beautiful spell of weather last year.

Two St Austell brothers worked alongside the famous cast.

It's not the first time the Pears brothers have appeared in front of a camera.

The Dawn French comedy 'Wild West' saw them on the small screen. Now though they have taken to the silver screen and Richard admits there are many differences.

"Ladies in Lavender was so much bigger," says Richard.

"It is recorded in a different way, and you stay in a caravan instead of travelling in by car each day."

The film is set in Cornwall in 1936.

Despite the great events about to unfold in Europe, Cornwall remains as ever a timeless place rarely moved by life in the outside world.

Ladies in Lavender poster

Farmers and fishermen pay heed to the weather and shipping forecasts, but precious little else that the wireless brings them.

Strangers are seldom made to feel welcome and even outsiders are never fully welcomed into the tightly-knit atmosphere of village life.

The discovery of a castaway on the beach below their house does however, disrupt the peaceful lives of sisters Janet and Ursula Widdington and the community in which they live.

Swept overboard from a ship on its way from mainland Europe to America, Andrea Marowski’s intention was to make a new life for himself in New York far from the soon to be war-torn Europe, and especially the anti-Semitic feeling that was becoming an increasing threat to the young Jewish musician from Krakow.

Dame Judi Dench on Parkinson in 2003

His survival would seem nothing short of a miracle for both himself and the Widdington sisters. With the help of the local doctor they nurse him back to health.

During the coming weeks, despite the inevitable language barrier, Janet and Ursula discover a few details about Andreas’ past, not least his talent as a musician.

The presence in their house of a beautiful young man has, for a variety of reasons, an unsettling effect on both sisters – especially Ursula.

Feelings that have either never been provoked or have lain dormant for years are all too willingly allowed to stir.

When it would seem that Andrea could become a permanent fixture in their lives, someone else comes along to take an interest in both him and his musical talent…

"I play the bad guy in the film," admits Richard.

"Barry, my character becomes the jilted lover."

"I'm going out the with local girl," he continues.

"Soon this good looking Polish violinist turns up on the beach, and my girlfriend starts to look in the opposite direction as it were."

Dame Maggie Smith in the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield

The Pears brothers shot scenes in and around Cadgwith, and also at the world famous Pinewood Studios near London.

"Everyone in the cast seemed so incredibly famous," admits Richard. "It was so odd to be talking to these people that you've seen on the screen so many times."

The film was directed by actor Charles Dance. It may have been his outing behind the camera but he seems to have gone down well with the cast.

"From my experience with Charles, long may he continue as a director," says Richard.

The world premiere takes place on Monday 8th November at the Odeon in Leicester Square.

"After the screening we've been asked to give a speech at the after show party," admits Richard.

"I am sitting here now writing my speech. I don't know what I'm going to say," he laughs.

Both Richard and brother Laurence have enjoyed the experience of working with such renowned actors and hope that this will be the start of something big for Cornwall's own silver screen stars!