Being an independent filmmaker is a tough life – armed with a screenplay that can't be filed under blockbuster, edgy hipster fodder or wacky comedy how do you get the commercials right so you can make it? Fortunately everything worked beautifully in this case and Day of the Flowers is that rare thing that British filmmakers often do best - it's a finely-crafted film about people. Set in Glasgow and Cuba the film examines the relationship between two sisters and their dead parents as they travel to Cuba to scatter their father's ashes. The unfolding story is a road movie, a drama and a gentle comedy of manners all rolled into one and is utterly engaging. The interplay between Rosa (Eva Birthistle) and Ailie (Charity Wakefield) is beautifully written and acted. If it's the well-judged pace and dialogue that keep the audience engaged the Cuban scenery and music play a big part too and any political analysis quickly gives way to the far more important consideration of the human condition.
Reviews
4 Reviews
The Invisible Lighthouse
(2013)
Synthpop, Life, The Universe and a Suffolk Lighthouse
27 September 2013
Fans of Dolby's music might not be quite prepared for the leap that this piece of work represents. Many will be aware of his connection with the coast of Suffolk in Great Britain through tracks like "Cloudburst at Shingle Street" but this is a profound and fascinating study of the effect of this wild landscape on Dolby – from childhood to the present. In fact Dolby uses the central story of the switching off of the Orfordness lighthouse as a pivot around which he hangs a whole mechanism of storytelling devices. As the film rolls Dolby performs alongside – cutting in live narration, music and sound and light effects in real time giving the whole great freshness and spontaneity. The window into Dolby's thoughts, loves, fears and creative processes is very intimate and circles around the lighthouse beam that once illuminated his bedroom wall as a child. Viewing this work at the historic Electric Palace Cinema in Harwich provided a truly memorable experience. Dolby expertly and warmly shares his fascination with the world around him, a beam of light that scans the globe whilst his feet remain firmly planted in the Suffolk shingle. Not to be missed.
Weak at Denise
(1999)
Screened at the Fourth Harwich Film Festival, introduced by Bill Thomas
20 October 2000
"Weak at Denise" is a black comedy that somehow exceeds all expectations, director Julian Nott is more used to writing classical music but uses his obvious talents to unfold this dark, suburban tale for maximum effect and enjoyment.
The film is the story of Colin (Bill Thomas), an inadequate but likeable man who works in the local benefits office and flies model aircraft in his spare time. Desperate to improve his poor record in the love department Colin places adverts in the local newsagent's window but then, one day, he meets and successfully woos the lovely Denise (Chrissie Cotterill). All is not as it seems however because Denise is really in love with the handsome Roy (Craig Fairbrass) and they have unsavoury plans for the hapless Colin. As the plot unfolds we find that there are even more dimensions and a complex "love pentagon" and exotic murder plot is slowly revealed.
At times hilarious, sleazy, uplifting and shocking this film boasts a complex but clever plot underpinned by excellent performances from the cast. Having seen it people want to talk about this brilliant film and if it doesn't get a decent general release it will surely gain acceptance as a cult classic.
The film is the story of Colin (Bill Thomas), an inadequate but likeable man who works in the local benefits office and flies model aircraft in his spare time. Desperate to improve his poor record in the love department Colin places adverts in the local newsagent's window but then, one day, he meets and successfully woos the lovely Denise (Chrissie Cotterill). All is not as it seems however because Denise is really in love with the handsome Roy (Craig Fairbrass) and they have unsavoury plans for the hapless Colin. As the plot unfolds we find that there are even more dimensions and a complex "love pentagon" and exotic murder plot is slowly revealed.
At times hilarious, sleazy, uplifting and shocking this film boasts a complex but clever plot underpinned by excellent performances from the cast. Having seen it people want to talk about this brilliant film and if it doesn't get a decent general release it will surely gain acceptance as a cult classic.
Five Seconds to Spare
(2000)
I saw this excellent film at the Fourth Harwich Film Festival, October 2000.
19 October 2000
This gripping British thriller is based on the cult best seller `The Dwarves of Death' by Jonathan Coe. It is set in London and tells the story of William (Max Beesley) and his band `The Alaska Factory' as they attempt to follow their dreams of Rock and Roll fame.
The film starts darkly with William witnessing the bizarre murder of the lead singer of another band, apparently by two dwarves. The film then takes us back three weeks to show the lead up to this strange and shocking event.
In this short space of time we see the wide-eyed William gradually become disillusioned with the idea of pop stardom as his band and management try to force him to pen more commercial material and their unstable producer, Vincent (Ray Winstone), seems to teeter on the edge of drug-induced madness. It is Vincent's association with a 70's punk band `The Dwarves of Death' that seems to hold the key to the murder and the British DJ John Peel puts in a notable cameo as a studio assistant who helps William track down their only record.
`Five Seconds to Spare' is an excellent film; good use of London locations (notably the Millennium Dome), a well structured and exciting story, excellent performances by the cast and a superb soundtrack all combine to deliver a gripping and ultimately satisfying movie which deserves to do well.
The film starts darkly with William witnessing the bizarre murder of the lead singer of another band, apparently by two dwarves. The film then takes us back three weeks to show the lead up to this strange and shocking event.
In this short space of time we see the wide-eyed William gradually become disillusioned with the idea of pop stardom as his band and management try to force him to pen more commercial material and their unstable producer, Vincent (Ray Winstone), seems to teeter on the edge of drug-induced madness. It is Vincent's association with a 70's punk band `The Dwarves of Death' that seems to hold the key to the murder and the British DJ John Peel puts in a notable cameo as a studio assistant who helps William track down their only record.
`Five Seconds to Spare' is an excellent film; good use of London locations (notably the Millennium Dome), a well structured and exciting story, excellent performances by the cast and a superb soundtrack all combine to deliver a gripping and ultimately satisfying movie which deserves to do well.
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