British Shorts Programme – The Joy of Six

Directed by Various

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This November, NBCQ presents a stunning selection of independent short films showcasing the best of up-and-coming British screen talent. The selection includes films from emerging and award-winning directing talent. Audiences may not be familiar with the talent behind the camera but will recognise some of the cream of British acting talent in front of it; among the stars featured are Dame Judi Dench (trying her hand at online dating!), Peter Mullan, Tom Hiddleston and Luke Treadaway. These are the award-winning British shorts making a splash at festivals and showing that innovative short film production is alive and kicking in Britain today.

Event

We are pleased to welcome writer/director Will Jewell for a post-screening Q&A, chaired by Cornerhouse Creative Industries Manager Isabelle Croissant. Click here for more details.

Staff Review

Not sure if The Joy of Six is for you? Read a review from Cornerhouse Digital Reporter Liam Stanley >>read more

Film Details

Long Distance Information
Dir Douglas Hart/GB 2012/8 mins
Peter Mullan

Set one Christmas Day, between East Kilbride and London, Long Distance is a black comedy that explores the strained relationship between a father and his 20 year old son. Alex has lived away from home for several years now and he and his father are as distant emotionally as they are in miles. In the waning light of the afternoon Alex phones home. Featuring music by Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys.

Man in Fear
Dir Will Jewell/GB 2012/11 mins
Luke Treadaway, James Lance, Tim Healy

A bloodied man walks into a police station wanting to be locked up.  He tells the Policeman artists are trying to kill him. By accident… When the disbelieving Policeman sighs and asks him their motive, he cryptically replies “Art…”

A Gun for George
Dir Matthew Holness/GB 2012/17 mins
Matthew Holness

Terry Finch – a man alone. Forgotten author of The Reprisalizer, Britain’s toughest pulp paperback vigilante, Finch pens tall tales of brute force and rough justice from his isolated caravan, treading a thin line between reality and fantasy in an attempt to exorcise painful memories of his brother’s death. When his ailing writing career grinds to a final halt, Terry’s compulsive and cathartic visions of violent retribution refuse to die with it, and a dark new chapter in the story of The Reprisalizer unfolds – where actions speak louder than words. Produced by Warp Films (This is England, Four Lions, and Berberian Sound Studio).

Scrubber
Dir Romola Garria/GB 2012/21 mins
Amanda Hale

Jenny is looking for escape. After being let down by a babysitter she decided to leave her daughter with a neighbour and walks into the surrounding countryside. Whilst waiting by the side of the road, she is picked up by a stranger and together they drive into woodland where she must choose between fantasy, escape and home.

The Ellington Kid
Dir Dan Sully/GB 2012/5 mins
Charlie G Hawkins, Hammad Animashaun, Durassie Kiangangu

In a typical South London kebab shop Nathan tells Beefy a story.  It’s a story he’s heard about the Ellington kid, who got stabbed and found refuge in the very kebab shop they are sitting in.  The gang who stabbed the kid ended up following the bleeding victim into the shop to finish him off, but they didn’t account for the kebab shop workers…

Friend Request Pending
Dir Chris Foggin/GB 2012/12 mins
Judi Dench, Penny Rider, Philip Jackson, Tom Hiddleston

Friend Request Pending
is a short comedy drama about the mature generation dating in our modern social networking world. Mary and Linda spend an afternoon discussing the pleasures, pitfalls and problems with using social networking to try and woo the local choirmaster Trevor.

Duration:
79 minutes

Languages:
English

Country of origin:
Great Britain