Keep Calm And...Watch Films From the UK!

This summer I am going on a dream trip to the UK! I am so excited and can’t wait! I will be able to scratch off certain countries and cities on my list of places around the world I want to travel to.

In honour of this upcoming trip...a list of some great films that not only take place in the UK, but are UK produced films.

Trainspotting Directed by Danny Boyle

I remember being 11 (maybe 12) and one of my older sisters sneaking me in to watch this film in theatre. I was probably way too young at the time, and I have watched it multiple times since. Sadly I still have to watch it with the subtitles on, because the Scottish accents are just so think at times and the dialogue to rapid that I don’t want to miss anything.  With a kick ass soundtrack that is still awesome to listen to.

I must also admit that I have to thank this film for its hand in turning me off drugs completely.

Director Danny Boyle has hinted recently that there are talks about a sequel in 2016. That there was always an idea to do this and it would take place 20 years after the first film and loosely inspired by the book Porno that is also the sequel to the Trainspotitng novel by Irvine Welsh. 

We shall see if it happens.

 A link to an article with more details of this possibility. This could be good or really bad.  http://collider.com/trainspotting-2-sequel-danny-boyle/

And, agreeing with the above article, one of the best opening scenes for a film...

Pirate Radio (AKA The Boat that Rocked) Directed by Richard Curtis

Speaking about kick ass soundtracks! Pirate Radio is all about the British music scene in the 1960’s. The BBC had a large amount of control and influence on  mainstream radio offered very little promotion to the rise of pop and rock ‘n’ roll music right in its prime. In response to this neglect, DJ’s and other music lovers, set up gorilla like radio stations on boats outside English boundary waters...hence “pirate radio.” 

This became extremely popular and mainstream broadcaster and government took notice and were not happy. 

It is fun look inside this part of British, pop culture and music history.

Elizabeth Directed by Shekhar Kapur

One of the greatest leaders and characters in history, Elizabeth Tudor (the last Tudor monarch and with famous parents King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn) aka Elizabeth I is shown in a realistic way unlike other portrayals of this famous Queen. We see her shaky rise to the throne and political/religious instability, to becoming known as the “Virgin Queen” and winning the love of her people. The film is filled with the lush visuals, beautiful costumes depicting the Elizabethan fashion and amazing cinematography. Played wonderfully by Cate Blanchett, I am still bitter more than ten years later that Gwyneth Paltrow won best actress over Cate and I still consider it one of the great injustices in Oscar history.

In 2007 there was a sequel of sorts with Elizabeth the Golden Age, where the focus was on an older Queen and the end of her reign.

Fish Tank Directed by Andrea Arnold

A recent trend in the UK film has been the focus on poverty/lower economic status and social issues that link to that and affect everyone.

The film is about a troubled 15 year old Mia, who lives with her mother and younger sister and the fall out within the family (and with Mia personally) that occurs after Mia meets her mother’s newest boyfriend, Conner (played by Michael Fassbender). A difficult film at times to watch but this 2009 Cannes Jury prize winner is worth it.

Sweet Sixteen Directed by Ken Loach

Continuing on the previously mentioned trend is Sweet Sixteen. I actually have to thank a friend of mine who showed me this film. The film takes place in a small Scottish town (again subtitles might be needed) and is a coming of age film about Liam who (along with his friend) come up with ways to make money that are not exactly legal. He does all  of this and buys a trailer so when his mother gets out of prison the day before his 16^th   birthday, he and his mother can live in it. As well as re-establishing a relationship with his estranged more level headed sister and her child, so they can all start fresh and forget the past.

Sadly life doesn't always go the way we want it to.

In the Name of the Father Directed by Jim Sheridan

Did you think that I would do some blog post about UK films and NOT include one with Daniel Day -Lewis in it?

In the Name of the Father is taken from the true story of Belfast born Gerry Conlon, a petty thief who is at the wrong place and the wrong time and  is falsely accused of an IRA terrorist bombing and part of the group known as the “Guildford four.” Gerry’s father (who originally sent Gerry to England to set his life straight) gets mixed up and is also accused of being a terrorist. For 15 years the two are in prison and despite the harshness of prison life stand by their innocence and the injustice done to them. Finally, a lawyer, Gareth Peirce, comes across their case and decides to reopen it. Seeing the mistakes done before and taking a new approach to set them free.

Add a soundtrack by U2 that matches the powerful performances.

It is a sad and touching story of a father and son and the horrors of a justice system gone wrong, and of the IRA and the British government. With a gritty look into the past struggles and the memories that still linger today despite delicate peace treaties.

 Hunger Directed by Steve McQueen

In more “films to make us socially aware” there is the first of three collaborations between Michael Fassbender and Steve McQueen (Shame and the upcoming Twelve Years a Slave are the other two).

Hunger, like In the Name of the Father is also based on true events.  The story of Bobby Sands-an Irish Republican activist who goes on a hunger strike in protest of the treatment of Irish inmates by the British guards and England’s refusal to recognize Bobby and other inmates as political prisoners in well known high security Maze prison in Belfast.

The film starts of focusing on two other prisoners before Bobby Sands enters the picture and is graphic in its violence and the harsh environment of the prison. It should also be noted that there is very little dialogue in the film on top of the slow pace, so try and stay with it. There is a great scene and monologue by Fassbender where is he is talking to a Priest who has come to visit him and pleads for him to stop his hunger strike.

It should also be noted that Fassbender’s physical transformation as he withers away is intense and up there with Christian Bale’s transformation for The Machinist.

Other notable films

      Rob Roy

     Ginger and Rosa

     Red Road

    Harry Potter (What? It takes place in England? And filmed in the UK)

   The Tudors (A TV series about one of the most famous kings in England and filmed in Ireland).

   Game of Thrones (I know, I’m obsessed. Westeros and the culture George R.R. Martin has created is obviously inspired by Medieval England and Europe. Also partly filmed in Ireland).

I’m sure there are plenty I have missed, so feel free to recommend some film for me to watch before my trip!  I've already added The Wind That Shakes the Barley.