FILM PROFILES @laurahird.com
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ALAN CLARKE  Prior to his tragic death in 1990, Clarke was one of the UK's finest, cutting edge filmmakers. His vivid dissections of the lives of society's underdogs were real, raw and untempered and his influence remains huge amongst independent filmmakers internationally. THE FIRM (1989) RITA, SUE AND BOB TOO (1987) MADE IN BRITAIN (1982) SCUM (1979) Profile of Clarke on the Screen Online website Article on Alan's Clarke's television work from The Guinness Book of Classic British TV (1996, 2nd edition) Tim Roth's tribute to his "maestro" Alan Clarke Purchase Richard Kelly's book, 'Alan Clark' on Amazon
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KEN LOACH
A national treasure. Tireless chronicler of working class life, Loach has never bowed to pressure from Hollywood or the media to brighten up. An absolute master in British social realist cinema, his films quite simply, tell it exactyly as it is. Regretably, more well respected abroad that he is in his own country (perhaps because other European countries have higher standards), the release of a Ken Loach film is a European cultural event of some significance. If George Orwell was still alive, he'd probably be producing similar work. Loach's Palme d'Or-winning film film about the Irish rebellion against British rule and the country's subsequent civil war. The parents of Casim Khan have decided that he is to marry Jasmine, his cousin. Casim, however, takes matters into his own hands when he embarks upon a relationship with Roisin, an Irish Catholic. Newcomer, Martin Compston eats up the screen as Liam, a teenager, trying to find a safe home for his mother, when she's released from prison. Touching, funny, tragic tale with a melancholy blue Greenock backdrop Raw, naked, deeply touching film about alcoholic Joe (Peter Mullen), trying to embark on his first relationship sober. Stunning performances, a wonderful script and probably one of the most honest portrayals of alcoholism I've ever seen.
Robert Carlyle's first leading role as Stevie, a young Glaswegian ex-con who finds work on a London building site amidst hideous working conditions. A gritty, funny portrait of life lived in the margins
The deeply touching story of the young son of a miner, whose bleak life is transformed by his growing relastionship with an injured kestrel he finds and trains. An earthy, provocative portrait of poverty and despair
Profile of Loach on the Senses of Cinema website The Politics of Everyday Life: An Interview with Ken Loach by Susan Ryan and Richard Porton Biography and filmography of Ken Loach on Museum TV archive Article about 'Carla's Song' on Red Pepper website
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SHANE MEADOWS
Director growing in stature with each project. Meadows' very personal portraits of his beloved Midlands are gritty slices of life, within which he brilliantly cultivates new acting talent. His 3 films so far share a black humour and bloody good soundtracks. One to watch!
Two brothers, Richard and Anthony, return to their hometown. Setting up camp in the hills overlooking the town, they reminisce over their past. But Richard has not returned for the memories, he's returned for revenge. Brilliant brutal revenge drama.
Slightly disappointing final instalment of Meadows' Midlands Trilogy. The dark humour and coursely endearing characters are all still there, but ironically, the film suffers as so many 'known' actors are involved. Meadows' real charm is when working with burgeoning acting talent
Paddy Considine in his stunning debut as disarmingly terrifying child befriender, Morell. As he works his way into the lives of two young friends, this initially hilarious film turns dark and unnervingly unpredictable. An absolute gem that everybody should see.
Film about giving it, taking it, living it and making the best of what you've got. Bob Hoskins forms a boxing club in rundown Nottingham to keep the local youth occupied, with tragic results. A life-affirming film, full of genuine humour, courage and hope in the human spirit
The official Shane Meadows Fansite Bradley Null's interview with Shane Meadows on Film Critic website Read Spliced Online interview with Shane Meadows Read interview with Shane Meadows on Eclectica website Shane Meadows interview about Martin Scorsese's 'Mean Streets' Review of 'Twenty Four Seven' on the World Socialist website
 FILM REVIEWSMy reviews of the best and worst new film and DVD releases plus links to a whole host of film related sites  GENRE BENDINGA new section of the site where I talk about my top 10 films on various genres/subjects and invite you to nominate your own favourites. Current subject is Sexiest Film Moments
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MIKE LEIGH
Often referred to as the 'British Bergman,' Mike Leigh is far better than that. An early start in experimental theatre still influences Leigh's work today, his character improvised vignettes of suburban desperation and warm but honest family portraits, devised with the actors themselves. Leigh has an unerring ability to define each decade with his films. More links to Leigh's films in Katrin Cartlidge section of Film Profiles HERE
Set in 1950s England. Vera Drake leads something of a double-life. She is a selfless mother, who cares for her family and her sick neighbour. She also secretly visits pregnant women to induce miscarriages. When the authorities uncover her hidden life, Vera's world comes crushing down.
A young black woman traces her natural mother after the death of her adopted one, opening up a vast can of worms, deceits and wounds and at the same time giving a second lease of life to her mother, Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn in blistering form)
Perhaps the most affecting, honest portrayal of family life, teenage angst, hurt, confusion and deep maternal and paternal love I've ever seen. Alison Steadman and Jim Broadbent are adorable as the put-upon parents, as are the rest of the cast of this tour-de-force
Another razor-sharp, quirky portrait of family life, centering on the lives of an East End family and their experience of unemployment, poverty and life in 80's Britain. Well observed early performances from Tim Roth as the vulnerable Colin, and Gary Oldman as Coxy, the local skinhead he befriends
Scathing, cringe-a-minute masterpiece set at a party held by social-climbing, overbearing hostess, Beverly, who flirts for England and has penchant for Demis Roussos. A truly iconic slice of 1970's Britain with Alison Steadman (Leigh's then wife) gloriously hamming it up
Salon magazine in conversation with Mike Leigh 'Mike Leigh at the NFT' - Leigh in conversation with Derek Malcolm Profile of 'Career Girls' on the Locarno International Film Festival website Comprehensive Mike Leigh filmography on the Britmovie website An article on 'Naked' on the Strictly Film School website Seven Questions for Mike Leigh on the Indiewire website Mike Leigh live on Guardian Film Unlimited
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STEPHEN FREARS
Frears has been quietely building a accomplished and diverse body of work for several decades but is often, unfathomably overlooked when the plaudits are being handed out. Frears' strength is in his fearlessness regarding subject matter and genre and his big world view
A Nigerian doctor seeking refuge in the UK, works as a taxi driver and a night porter at a London hotel and gets involved in a sickening trade of organ parts from Eastern European refugees. A great central performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor, as the kind insomniac, Okwe.
Enjoyable screen adaptation of Nick Hornby's cult-classic novel High Fidelity starring John Cusack. Sexy, sassy mother/son shenanigans between Mob moll ma, Anjelica Huston, and ambitious, devious son, John Cusack. Double-crossing, slick-scripted stormer of a movie with an equally steamy jazz soundtrack. The atmosphere between Cusack and Huston positively sizzles.
Gary Oldman turns in a best-ever performance, completely transforming into 60's playwright, Joe Orton in this glorious bio-pic with a hilariously camp screenplay by Alan Bennett. I actually think the screenplay for this is better than anything Orton wrote, but what great material his life and diaries were.
Handsome young Omar (Roshan Seth) enlists the help of his friend, fascist, Johnny, to run a dilapidated launderette given to him by his rich uncle. As they transform it into a gaudily lit palace, the two men fall in love. A great Hanif Kureishi screenplay, Daniel Day Lewis in excellent early form as the gay punk and uninhibited humour make this a great insight into life in Britian in the midst of Thatcherism. Complete TV and cinema filmography of Stephen Frears on IMDb website Short profile of Stephen Frears on the Brit Movie website Interview with Stephen Frears about 'Dirty Pretty Things' on the BBCi website |
