I much prefer films that I can relate to in some way and that use relatively unknown actors and actresses. Those that are set on the shores of the UK are usually worth a watch. However, I'm not saying that every release courted by the British film council should be in your DVD collection but there is some ace British cinema out there for you to search out and enjoy.
With the likes of Danny Boyle, Guy Ritchie and Shane Meadows high on the list of British directors with films that have been critically acclaimed, British cinema is indeed a fascinating landscape of talent and there are some real gems to be found in the archives of British film. So for whats it's worth here's a selection of the lessers known productions and my favorites from the big screen of blighty.
Shane Meadows is everywhere it would seem. With This is England 86 all over the television and hyped all over the Internet and with films such as 'Dead Mans Shoes' and of course 'This is England' included in a back catalogue of varied films, 'Somers Town' is often one that is overlooked. Probably my favourite Meadows film, a charming tale of a young Polish lad who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a Nottingham runaway played by Thomas Turgoose (better known as Shaun from This is England) Set within the confides of North London and just south of Camden Town, The story captures the differences within the Multi Cultural metropolis and the challenges encountered while being young. With all the hallmarks of a Shane Meadows film, Somers Town is certainly worth a watch for anyone a fan of the Midlands born director.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tube Tales is one of my favorite films ever, I remember coming home from a mates one night after a heavy smoke and this was on, It got me thinking that much that I actually whitied...
Tube Tales is a collection of nine short films based on experiences of London Underground passengers as submitted to Time Out magazine. The stories were scripted and filmed independently of each other. Filming took place on the London Underground network in 1999 by nine directors including Stephen Hopkins, Charles McDougall and Bob Hoskins, with directorial debuts by Ewan McGregor and Jude Law. The project was produced by Richard Jobson. The collection of stories often made me laugh but also invoked me to think, in some parts touching, in some parts dark. My favorite out of all 9 films is the last one, 'Steal away' which is the most thought provoking and clever in my opinion. I have often tried explaining the plot of 'Steal away' to many a person while discussing films (usually while chemically imbalanced) and I always get some pretty confused looks. So without me trying to do so now, i would urge you to go forth and buy Tube Tales, which is without doubt, one of the finest British films ever made.
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Shifty is based upon the everyday life of a small time drug dealer and the predicaments he encounters with some of his unsavory clientele. However, when your sitting on that side of the fence things can often turn very nasty and very dangerous as Riz Ahmed (Shifty) soon finds out. Directed by Eran Creevy, Shifty is a thriller that De-glamorises the life of your every day drug dealer and portrays the real dangers associated with council estate mentality and the money encouraged betrayals of so called friends. Tough and gritty, Shifty is definitely worth a watch for those who like urban-set British thrillers.
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Like most inner-city based British films, Sweet 16 packs a harsh punch and takes you onto the grim estates of Greenock, near Glasgow. Run down, grimy and with very limited prospects in the hole that lead actor Liam finds himself, he quickly spirals into a life of petty crime before moving into bigger and more lucrative drug dealing after his potential is recognised by the more senior crime figures in the community. All set on the dreary and miserable streets of poverty stricken Greenock, mixed up with the limited social outlets and brutal reality of kill or be killed that young Liam is faced with, Sweet 16 makes you realise that although your home town may be a dreary shit hole, in reality there's far worse shit holes you could be living in. After seeing Greenock, however dramatised Ken Loach may have made it, Newport would seem like St Tropez in the height of summer!
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Last but not least in the dark and disturbing drama/thriller 'London to Brighton', the story of a prostitute and her young friend on the run from a revenge seeking gangster. Probably not for the faint hearted, tackling issues such as paedophilia and prostitution head on and with a grit that can only be associated with real life British film making. London to Brighton is a classic from Paul Andrew Williams that will have you on the edge of your sofa and cringing at the harsh reality of life on the streets for a young women on the game.
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If you're into cinema on any level at all then I would passionately suggest that you search out and support British film making. There are some superb works available for you to discover and some ace homegrown talent to ponder over.
Saul Wilks.
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