Project Detail

Johnny Was

Synopsis

Johnny (Vinnie Jones), trying to escape a violent past in Ireland, hides out in Brixton, London's toughest West Indian neighborhood; but when his former comrade and mentor Flynn escapes from Brixton prison determined to derail the Irish peace process, Johnny faces not only being dragged back into violence and away from his new love (Samantha Mumba), but also igniting a simmering feud with his 'Yardie' neighbour.
 
Questions of race, morality and loyalty play out against a great sound-track of reggae, rock and soul.

Details

Year
2008
Type of project
Features
Running time
98 mins
Format
35mm
Director
Mark Hammond
Producer
Ben Katz, Paul Hughes, Kim Magnusson, Noemi Ferrer, Brendan Foley
Co-Producer
Ben Katz, Paul Hughes, Kim Magnusson, Noemi Ferrer, Brendan Foley
Editor
Leif Axel Kjeldsen, Anne Osterud
Screenwriter
Brendan Foley
Director of Photography
Mark Moriarty
Production Designer
Ashleigh Jeffers
Principal cast
Vinnie Jones, Patrick Bergin, Samantha Mumba , Lenox Lewis, Roger Daltrey, Mark Asante, Laurence Kinlan
Music supervisor
Adrian Sherwood

Genre

Categories

Production Status

Sales Company

Nordisk Film A/S

Mosedalvej 14
2500 Valby
Denmark

T +45 36 18 82 00

www.nordiskfilm.com

UK Distributor:

AV PIictures Ltd
Caparo House, 3rd Floor
103 Baker Street,
London
W1U 6LN
UK

T: +44 (0)20 7317 0140

jane@avpictures.co.uk

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.

Let It Come Down Let It Come Down

Director: Anna Fredrikke Bjerke

Year: 2026

A couple travels to a secluded family home to restore it ahead of an appraisal survey. But their weekend is interrupted by an unexpected visitor whose presence tests the limits of mutual desire and causes passions to collide, leading to fatal consequences.

A man is performing a song at a karaoke bar. Life of the Party

Director: Joseph Cummings

Year: 2026

A lonely, aging karaoke bar-owner attempts to make friends with a group of young men that enter his club. As his advances fall flat, his behaviour grows increasingly desperate.

Two women hold each other's gaze and hands with a gift box between them. Fish & Chips

Director: Macadie Amoroso

Year: 2026

Fab plans a surprise for Cassie on their first anniversary, but Cassie's rough day, coupled with a party popper mishap, leads to a heated argument over dinner options. What starts as a takeaway tiff over Caribbean or pizza spirals into an identity battle, revealing deep-seated resentments about their racial and queer identities. With half of the film shot in one take, FISH & CHIPS is a tender, unflinching exploration of mixed-heritage identity, queer love, and the fine line between connection and conflict. Official Selection BFI Flare London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2026