Every month, I’ll introduce you to some little-known British films and even some from across the Channel in Europe, along with any entertaining pieces of news or perhaps an actor or director profile of someone well-known or someone up-and-coming.
“The Zero Theorem” (2014)
Qohen Leth can’t stand the modern world or anyone in it. As instructed by Management (Matt Damon) he has isolated himself in a burnt out chapel to work on the Zero Theorem. He’s also waiting for the call of his life, which he hopes will give meaning to his existence, or lack of. The Theorem is something to do with the universe’s fate being a black hole. This is a film all about the meaning of life etc. Deep stuff.
In true Terry Gilliam style this project has been trying to get started for a few years. It originally starred Billy Bob Thornton and Al Pacino; what a different film that would have been. The screenplay is as original as you can get. It was first written prose style and then turned into a screenplay by a university professor, Pat Rushin, who teaches English at the University of Florida.
Rushin submitted his screenplay to Project Greenlight (produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon), making the top 250. It then went to The Zanuck Company who are partly responsible for producing the film. It eventually made its way to Gilliam. According to him “The Zero Theorem” is his impression of what the world is like now, as “Brazil” (1984) was his interpretation of the world then. Mainly the world in a dystopian state, an Orwellian view of the future.
Christoph Waltz takes the lead as Leth, minus a head of hair and his eyebrows (they wanted him separated as much as possible from his previous roles). For the female lead Gilliam wanted someone who didn't have the standard ‘American’ figure but instead wanted an actress who had a real look. French actress Melanie Thierry (“Babylon AD” (2008)) plays Bainsley who has been sent in by Management to distract Leth from his work. As has Management’s son Bob (Lucas Hedges, “Moonrise Kingdom” (2012)).
Fans of Gilliam's films will have been following developments on this closely, waiting for a final release date. Be aware this won’t be your average indie film or sci fi drama. Watch Gilliam’s new film with an open mind. This is for those who will appreciate the deeper meanings behind what’s going on onscreen and in character relationships. If you’re intrigued but not sure, watch his previous work, especially “12 Monkeys” (1996), just for Bruce Willis’ performance alone (and a theme tune that will get stuck in your head for years).
“Starred Up” (2013)
The makers of this British prison drama went to great lengths to ensure that it looked as real as possible; no glamorisation of prison life here. The majority of shots were taken using hand held cameras, coupled with the real prison setting this feels more like a documentary.
Director David MacKenzie had a very specific idea of what he wanted for this film, and he appears to have achieved it with the single location setting and sequential filming. Something he hopes to do again in the future as, he says, it helps to keep everything (cast and crew included) in the moment.
The story is based on the experiences of Jonathan Asser (as a prison therapist; which is one of the main focuses of the film. It also tackles themes of father figures and father son relationships. The Big Boss on new inmate Eric Love's (Jack O'Connor) wing is Nev (Ben Mendelsohn), his Dad.
For newcomer O’Conner, who stars in the lead role, this could be his big break - judging from his terrifying stone cold stare and outbursts of intense violence we see in the trailer. His previous work includes hooligan thriller “Eden Lake” (2008) and “This Is England” (2006).
Lucky for us, no matter how gruelling the film gets, in an interview with Asser he reassures us that despite the hard hitting nature of the film there is light at the end of the tunnel, and any violence is non gratuitous (phew!). [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm5sNbUmOIQ]
"Locke" (2013)
UK road trip movie starring Tom Hardy. Written and directed by Steven Knight.
Ivan (Hardy) has set up a great life for himself, everything is running smoothly. Until he receives a phone call that changes everything. Leaving his job as construction manager in Birmingham he sets off for London. On the way down through further phone calls and interactions with his father's ghost, his life gradually unravells.
The film is shot wholly inside the interior of Ivan’s car and takes place in one night (as these types of stories do). Hardly a challenge for Hardy who has played the likes of Charles Bronson in “Bronson” (2008) and stole the show as Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises” (at least he doesn’t have to beef up this time).
Hardy apparently relied more on cue cards for a script, and director Steven Knight regularly surprised him with plot twists, forcing Hardy to rely on the actors emotional deliveries over the phone.
News
Domhnall Gleeson is competing for the part of Doctor Doom in the new “Fantastic Four” movie. He’s up against other young British actors Sam Riley (“Control” (2007)), Eddie Redmayne (“Les Miserables” (2012)) and Toby Kebbell (“RocknRolla” (2008)) for the part. Helena Bonham Carter will be causing trouble for the people of Wonderland once more as she is set to reprise her role as The Red Queen in the sequel to Alice in Wonderland “Through the Looking Glass”. Matt Lucas is also rumoured to be back. There's a bit of a wait though, it's not due out until May 2016.Sean Bean is jumping on the Kickstarter bandwagon, something that's becoming increasingly popular in the US and UK. There's a trailer out for his Macbeth adaptation "Enemy of Man" floating the internet. Less dialogue, more action, and a lot of bleak landscapes to set the tone of the film. Vincent Regan is set to direct, he's responsible for "300" (2008) which gives a few clues as to what this adaptation is going to be like.