MOVIE star Robert Carlyle is in the city this week, filming scenes as Samantha Morton's dad in her directorial debut, The Unloved.

Hollywood actress Sam, originally from Clifton, is directing the Channel 4 drama at locations around Nottingham. Oscar-nominated Sam does not play a role in the piece, which is scheduled to air in spring 2009.

Sam, 31, has said the film is not strictly autobiographical, although it deals with children growing up in children's homes in Nottingham, as she did.

Scottish actor Carlyle, 47 – best known for playing violent Begbie in Trainspotting and skint dad Gaz in The Full Monty – said: "It's her first feature and it's a very personal film about her life. I play her father.

"She asked me to play that part and I was very honoured."

Carlyle is also attending The Broadway Cinema in Hockley tomorrow for a preview of his film Summer at 8.15pm.