The Love Punch

Director: Joel Hopkins

Year: 2017

Hampstead Village, London, is famous for its beautiful and much-loved Heath; a piece of quiet countryside in a vast metropolis. Living on the edge of the Heath is American widow Emily Walters, who can't quite focus on the things that need attention since her husband’s death; like her crumbling old apartment, diminishing finances and even her son, Philip. <br /> One day while looking out across the Heath from her attic window, Emily spies a ramshackle hut, which appears to be inhabited by an unkempt man. After witnessing him being attacked by a group of professional thugs, she calls the police and watches through her binoculars as help arrives. The next day she ventures into the woods in search of him. <br /> The man, Donald has lived quietly and harmoniously on the edge of the Heath for 17 years but his lifestyle is under threat - his home is the target of property developers who’ve started using heavy-handed tactics to remove him. He is naturally suspicious of Emily and politely rebuffs her attention, but despite his gruff exterior, there is something gentle and alluring about him. When Emily discovers that her friend Fiona is leading a community initiative in support of the developers, she bravely steps up to take Donald's side in the escalating battle to save his peaceful Heath dwelling. Though her son Philip tries to persuade her to retire gracefully to the country, she is determined to defend the emotional and physical livelihood of this quiet and unusual man - a man who might just be the person to sweep her off her feet.<br /> Inspired by a true story, a charming and funny life-affirming tale about how love can be found in the most unexpected places, and that age is no barrier to second chances.

Director: Joel Hopkins

Year: 2008

New Yorker Harvey Shine is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend to attend his daughter's wedding but promises to be back on Monday morning to make an important meeting - or else. <br /> <br /> Harvey arrives in London only to learn his daughter has chosen to have her stepfather walk her down the aisle instead of him. Doing his best to hide his devastation, he leaves the wedding before the reception in hopes of getting to the airport on time, but misses his plane anyway. When he calls his boss to explain, he is fired on the spot. <br /> <br /> Drowning his sorrows at the airport bar, Harvey strikes up a conversation with Kate, a slightly prickly, 40-something employee of the Office of National Statistics. Kate, whose life is limited to work, the occasional humiliating blind date and endless phone calls from her smothering mother, is touched by Harvey, who finds himself energised by her intelligence and compassion. The growing connection between the pair inspires both as they unexpectedly transform one another’s lives.

Director: Joel Hopkins

Year: 2001

Jump Tomorrow weaves the drama of a road-movie into a humorous tale of passion, romance and friendship.<br /> <br /> When introvert George meets a stunning Latin girl, they are both instantly smitten. The only problem is that he is due to marry a childhood friend from Nigeria in just four days. An eccentric and lovesick Frenchman named Gerard stumbles into George's life and the two embark on a road trip. <br /> <br /> During this odd couple's journey to upstate New York, George becomes torn between duty to his arranged marriage and his fascination with Alicia's culture and the Spanish language. A sweet, timid man normally filled with anxiety, George begins to loosen a little - whether it's fantasising he's the virile hero of the Spanish soaps or chasing his true love up the highway. <br /> <br /> A quiet man living a little, George learns to live a little louder.