AKA
Synopsis
Dean, the handsome hero, is trapped in a dead world: a working class suburb with a sexually abusive father and a waitress mother who is convinced that she is the friend of aristocrats she serves.
Dean runs away from home seeking out Lady Gryffoyn, one of the many characters that his mother has told him about at the restaurant. After meeting Lady Gryffoyn, Dean moves into her home but after a short time falls out with her jealous son Alex Gryffoyn.
A chance meeting with Benjamin, a charismatic American leads Dean to Paris where he looks for work. Unable to get work Dean pretends to be Alex Gryffoyn and with Benjamin's unwitting help, infiltrates the very upper class set his mother waits on, convincing them and himself that he belongs.
All the time he is funding this deceit with his credit card, running up huge bills. Back in England the police are alerted to his fraudulent use of the credit card.
Dean hooks up with David Glendenning the rich aristocratic man for whom Benjamin is a courtesan. David takes Dean under his wing but only after expelling Dean's one true friend Benjamin from their inner circle.
Reinventing oneself comes at a price. Slowly, the living hell, which he endured at home, comes back to haunt Dean. Dean finally tells the truth to Benjamin who is furious with Dean and tells David Glendenning. The charade is over.
Dean goes back home, confronts his father and the tragic family secret is blown apart.
The film ends with Dean in prison but in possession of his own identity and on his own terms.
Details
- Year
- 2003
- Type of film
- Features
- Running time
- 118 mins
- Format
- 35mm
- Director
-
Duncan Roy 1st Feature
- Producer
- Julian Hayward, Duncan Roy, Ingenious Media, Bard Entertainments
- Editor
- Lawrence Catford, Jackie Ophir, Jon Cross
- Screenwriter
- Duncan Roy
- Director of Photography
- Scott Taylor, Steve Smith, Claire Vinson, Ingrid Domeij
- Sound
- Aiden Black, Joe Taylor
- Principal cast
- Matthew Leitch, Lindsey Coulson, Diana Quick, George Asprey, Blake Ritson, Peter Youngblood Hills, Bill Nighy
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
Third Rock Ltd
C/o Bard Entertainments7 Denmark Street
London WC2H 8LZ
UK
T+44 (0)20 7240 7144
Sales Company
Third Rock Ltd
Page updates
This page was last updated on 12th May 2025. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.
See also
You may also be interested in other relevant projects in the database.
No Women No Children
Director: Akporé Uzoh
Year: 2026
The aftermath of a sexual assault (rape). Exploring the deep-felt consequences for all involved. At its heart an epic story of a couple's fight for the survival of their love.
Hotel London
Director: Ahmed Alauddin Jamal
Year: 1987
An Asian family who become homeless are placed in a bed and breakfast hotel by the local authority. There they come into contact with other people from different backgrounds who are waiting to be housed. Their plight is depicted with sensitivity and humour. Jonathan Pryce plays a single Irishman who drifts around London sleeping rough. HOTEL LONDON was originally produced in 198. The film was remastered in 4K in 2025 by the BFI National Archive. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025 - World premiere (Remastered version)
Anemone
Director: Ronan Day-Lewis
Year:
In Northern England estranged brothers reunite in a remote cabin. Forced to confront their painful upbringing, they try to process their separate journeys as a result of generational and lived trauma. Official Selection New York Film Festival 2025 - World premiere Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025 - European premiere