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I think it's a commune in the French department in Centre-val de Loire indicating the French spelling of "islands"

I agree with Simond9x. Two WW I battles there

Agreed, that makes much more sense.

marbles: re 9d

The brand name is NOT the answer. The answer is in Chambers and should be well-known to any film buff.

Thanks buzzb, got it now !

Just looking back at this, a thought occurs which I don't think's been touched on. Is there any reason why the centre cell is blacked out? Sorry if it's blooming obvious.

I can't see any thematic reason for the blacked out square. Perhaps it was the only way all the thematic entries could have been fitted in?

I suppose it must be, thanks. Strange though.

A great treat! Thank you Stick Insect. I thought the inclusion of the IEA in the relevant clue was masterful - and a sort of apt surface reading to boot.

The IEA was mentioned in an article I was reading today and it appears that the first part of the name ends with an "E" and not with "ION" - I checked against the organisation's own website. Generally I'm a great enthusiast for Chambers but that's a second minor inaccuracy with bearing on the clueing of this week's puzzle.