Projects in genres: Drama

Synopsis

Paradise Grove is the first film by award-winning TV and theatre director Charles Harris. A new British Independent movie, a bittersweet coming-of-age story set in a Jewish old age home in North London, it is also, remarkably, the first contemporary Jewish movie to be made in the UK for ten years. Paradise Grove is a film with a distinctive and unusual voice. Starting with deceptively gentle comedy, it woos us with a colourful parade of sharply observed characters, each with their own quirks and eccentricities, before building to a moving climax with a strong emotional punch.

Synopsis

Paris Skylight is an offbeat romantic drama about five friends, ordinary people leading a bohemian lifestyle over a hectic week in modern day Paris, and the way their lives are touched and changed forever by Shuko, a tourist visiting from Japan.

Synopsis

Nowadays. The day before his retirement Judge Saracini (Donald Sutherland) under the threat of a gun receives an envelope with an old 8mm film. The film shows the cold blooded killing of five men and the abduction of another. It is previously unknown footage of the kidnapping of the President of the Italian Christian Democratic party Aldo Moro and the brutal murder of his escort in Rome on March 16th, 1978. With the help of his ex pupil Fernanda Doni (Stefania Rocca), now a judge herself, and Branco (Giancarlo Giannini), his old time friend and personal escort, Saracini starts a personal investigation that takes him and his friends into a conspiracy that goes up to the highest levels of Italian and International political powers. High risks are taken and dangerous grounds are walked upon. The peril reaches its peak with the accident that kills Judge Doni's husband. Now eventually caught in that web of power, Judge Saracini receives an invitation he cannot refuse. The summons will end the private enquiry and leave the public enigma still a mystery.

Synopsis

It's nine o'clock on Monday morning when one bored commuter's distracted by the beautiful blonde sitting next to him. But she's less than impressed by his leching. And she knows how to make her point.

Synopsis

Set in London's East End, Pure is a story about innocence, seen through the eyes of 10 year old Paul. Following the death of his father, he takes on the role of caretaker to mother Mel and younger brother Lee. Paul's hunger for his mother's affection is as moving as her inability to respond as she seeks solace in drugs. With heroic optimism, Paul takes drastic steps to rescue Mel from her addiction. But only when she hits rock bottom is Mel able to summon the power to save herself and her family.

Synopsis

This subtle, elliptic film follows a couple who return to the place they first met, exotic and seductive Goa, in the hope that this holiday will lift them out of the emotional and sexual despondency that their relationship has lapsed into. However, they remain trapped in their pattern of social routine, until their encounter with a beautiful, enigmatic girl initiates a confrontation between husband and wife, which uncovers the secrets they had kept from themselves and each other.

Synopsis

Milan, Italy. 1960. Rosetta Susannah Di Curci the feted colouratura soprano is on the brink of superstardom when doctors diagnose a cancerous polyp on her vocal chords. Rosetta chooses to have surgery but knows she will never perform again. Forty years later, Rosetta lives as a recluse in a city in the north of England. The spectre of her career failure continues to haunt her. Into Rosetta's life comes Eddie Banks, owner of a small independent record shop. Eddie fights to maintain his prime-site business against cut-throat competition and corrupt estate agents. Against the backdrop of their own personal traumas, Eddie helps Rosetta to rediscover her zest for life. In return, she shares her unique personal philosophy with him. Fearing she will become ill again, Rosetta makes contact with the daughter she gave up for adoption forty years ago.

Synopsis

Faye, a contemplative hairdresser, swings moodily between her western aspirations and her Chinese origins. Huang, a Chinese photographer with an expired visa, washes up in a salsa bar when not caressing the city with his camera. A faint romance temporarily flickers between them. Interweaving scenes, meanwhile, show us Cai and J J, two artists who appear to be in the act of preparing for some mysterious performance.

Synopsis

This is the debut film for British director and writer Steve Reid. It's a surreal and classical concept entwining Shakespearean and classical undertones with modern lyrics. As the storyteller's chilling words suggest: 'The seven of past - where are they now sweet brethren?" This is a musical beyond any pre-conception, delving deep into social issues with powerful images and music. We follow the final days of a lonely guy, and through his thoughts, dreams, memories and media the seven sins are dramatically brought back to life. Sloth becomes drug abuse, envy becomes vandalism, etc., as each sin is transferred into its relevant modern day problem. With deep reality this is a tonal exploration of life itself, and our place within it.

Synopsis

Armagh Woman's Prison 1980. Based on true events this is the extraordinary story of an unshakeable bond between two very different women. A young girl, a wild child, Aine, is arrested in Belfast and convicted of joyriding. She is, to her horror, placed in the wing of Armagh jail containing protesting political prisoners. In addition to this she is housed in a cell with the leader of the protesters, Eileen. At first, their differences all to obviously come to the fore; the two women can find no common ground and are at war with each other. However, as time progresses Eileen takes pity on Aine, for whom this is a terrifying experience, and helps her come to terms with this new and frightening environment thus saving Aine's sanity. In turn, as their friendship grows and as the protest escalates, Aine risks all to save Eileen's life. Despite their obvious differences, an unlikely friendship emerges. Shot on location in Kilmainham jail, Silent Grace features an exceptional cast, including IFTA Best Actress nominee, Orla Brady (A Love Divided), Cathleen Bradley (About Adam), and with a special appearance by Patrick Bergin (Sleeping with the Enemy).

Synopsis

A disturbing portrait of a young woman pushing against the boundaries of love and lust. Billy's passionate relationship with her friend Maria ignites her father's forbidden desire.   Winner of Best New Director at 2004 Brooklyn International Film Festival.

Synopsis

Christmas Eve 2001: Seamus - a lonely poster-paster who works the night shift at Aldwych tube station - is taken on a nocturnal journey by the spirit of a deceased train driver. Having resigned himself to a life of drudgery and routine, the poster-paster's drab existence is questioned by the spirits of those who have died in the station throughout its 100 year history. Subterrain is a modern day fable that uses as its inspiration the story of Dickens' A Christmas Carol in the setting of Dante's Divine Comedy, with a conclusion akin to It's A Wonderful Life.