Projects in genres: Comedy

Synopsis

'At last, the true life story of the outlaw comic who tried to save the world. He still might.' Bill Hicks is considered by many to be the greatest comedian of the last 20 years, ironic given his anonymity in his native America. He was a preacher, a philosopher, a raging prophet who believed he could save his audience by confronting them with truth - and dick jokes. He was considered criminally unpatriotic at home for skewering the hypocrisies of the government, media and organised religion, but he broke out internationally and stunned UK audiences made him a star. Just as he was on the verge of conquering the USA, he was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. He was 32 years old. 15 years after his death, his popularity continues to grow, his CD's and DVDs selling more than ever and Bill himself regularly rated in 'best of' lists. Now, for the first time, his fascinating and ultimately uplifting life story is told by those that knew him best. Made in close association with Bill’s family and friends, it features unprecedented access to unseen archive material and a stunning new animation technique throughout. American: The Bill Hicks Story is the definitive record of one of America's most iconic modern heroes - a fearless voice as relevant today as ever.

Synopsis

Automorphosis looks into the minds and hearts of a delightful collection of eccentrics, visionaries, and just plain folks who have transformed their autos into artworks. On a humorous and touching journey, we discover what drives the creative process for these unconventional characters. And in the end, we find that an art car has the power to change us - to alter our view of our increasingly homogeneous world.  

Synopsis

Clarence is faking it. Love, friendship, hardwork. Madness. He drinks to avoid his unhappiness. His girlfriend, Sophie, is better than the drink, but still doesn't let me escape his unhappiness. And his job is certainly not helping. Basketcase tells the story of Clarence's descent into madness - or not - and his desperate quest to blame anyone but himself. It's a sardonic fairytale; a dismal parable. No wonder they're laughing.

Synopsis

After five years together, Angela longs for marriage, but Paul doesn't believe in it. Angela thinks he doesn't believe in them and leaves him. In his drunken quest for solace, Paul begins a soul-searching journey, trying to overcome his fear of commitment. Will it be in time?

Synopsis

As the first Carbon Neutral, Vegetarian, Organic expedition ever to attempt the North Pole, Mark and Brian have high hopes of not only doing their bit for global warming, but also, if all goes well, of getting into the Guinness Book of Records. Unfortunately, not only is this a world first: it's a first for them too. Brian and Mark have never done anything like this before. Luckily they are followed by Steve, their hardened arctic cameraman, to follow their journey for the digital channel, Adventure Plus. That is until they shoot him. All alone on the ice the boys are left to fend for themselves and hadn't reckoned on the polar bears, the competitive Norwegians or on Mark's rapidly loosening grip on reality. Noone said saving the planet would be easy. But does it have to be this hard? Beyond The Pole is Touching the Void with laughs, Withnail and I on ice. Funny and subversive, it’s the story of two men trying to find their place in the world before the end of the world. And it asks one question of us all: how far would you go to save the planet?

Synopsis

Richard, bored of his mundane existence as a cycle courier, attempts to make his film A Distance Too Far in a bid to escape to a better life. Driven by the belief that it will propel him, his friends and his girlfriend to fame and fortune, and the fear of ending up like his family, the completion of his 'masterpiece' becomes the sole focus of Richard's life. So with a budget creeping into positive numbers, Richard employs a rabble of egomaniacs and incompetents. These include his loyal friend Ray, chicken slaughterer (and now producer). Richard's likeable, mellow and quirky personality transforms into that of an angry, unappreciative tyrant who becomes hell bent on success. His relationship with girlfriend Jemma deteriorates, as he is unable to think past his ruthless ambitions. Eventually, his constant barking takes it's toll on the cast and crew, culminating in Richard throwing a tantrum and banishing them all from the set. Even Ray, who has been funding the production with extra hours at the meat factory, is ejected. Met with indifference after crawling back to his former crew, Richard realizes his dream is over for now and that his life, without the millions and the showbiz golf-buddies, isn't so bad the way it is.

Synopsis

Bill has an understanding with local teenage boys, that he will buy beer for them. However when Cowan takes along his friend Jim for the first time, something about Jim encourages Bill to reveal more of himself to the boys than he ever has before.

Synopsis

On the mediterranean coast a group of retired Brits spend their winter months reminiscing and putting the World to right. Inspired by a news item about a bungled post office robbery, they begin to think that they could plan the perfect heist.

Synopsis

Jack, a sales rep, witnesses the kidnapping of a female jogger. After following the kidnapper to his house and trying to save the jogger, Jack realises things aren't quite what they seem.

Synopsis

A short film about boiling.

Synopsis

In 1943 Alastair Pennington was an 18-year-old bomber pilot on his first mission. He lost his way and, harassed by enemy fighters, elected to jettison his bombs over what turned out to have been a small village. Plagued by guild for 65 years, he determines to embark upon a long-planned journey of atonement, driving to Germany in the company of his wife Valerie and useless son Ross. A bittersweet comedy about family, memory, guilt, love and assorted annoyances.  

Synopsis

Ritchie Donovan is a professional thief whose luck has just run out. The only survivor from a heist that goes terribly wrong, Ritchie is forced to take the rap and is sent to Russia to steal a priceless antique cross, locked in a safe on the penthouse floor of a Moscow skyscraper. Things start badly and go rapidly downhill when, during the robbery, Ritchie and his Russian accomplices are forced to take hostages because they are trapped by the police, on the unused 13th floor.