David Reviews

 "You're not an artist, Peggy. You solve problems." Don Draper.

SOMESUCH SIGN CHARLOTTE REGAN.
8 October 2024

2023 was a good year for West Ham United. Not only did they win the Europa Conference League, they also starred in one of the best debut features in recent memory: Charlotte Regan's 'Scrapper'.

In it, lead character Georgie (Lola Campbell) wears a Hammers top from the mid-nineties that once belonged to her estranged father, Jason (Harris Dickenson). Directed and written by Regan, the film charms your socks and shorts off with details just like it. If West Ham fans ever need a pick-me-up—more of a case of when than if, to be honest—'Scrapper' hits the spot.


So does this 2020 commercial for Branston Pickle about a woman who's recently moved out of the family home. She has a new flat, a new job, and—most importantly—a new voicemail from mum and dad. However, it's the audience that hears it first.

Jack Croft and Stacey Bird's script is a lovely blend of incidental details ("Dad's hurt his ankle again!") and encouragement, evoking any message from home that says nothing and everything at the same time. Of course, the protagonist already has enough to think about.

Through Regan's assured direction, we see the woman gradually find her rhythm, with the odd night conked out on the sofa or burning the midnight oil. In a nice touch, these moments are flecked with parental commentary ("You know how you get when you're tired").


Emotions also run high in this Alzheimer's Society commercial, where a man delivers a eulogy for his mother at her funeral. The cruelty of Alzheimer's is highlighted by his depiction of her recent demise as only being the last in a series of deaths. This is in keeping with the sense of loss felt by many whose loved ones slowly succumb to this disease.

Regan keeps an even pace between pathos and anger, especially in the performance of the lead. This is a brave move as films like this normally lean toward sentimentality, but it's well judged and makes for a much more impactful impression.

The descent into Alzheimer's is obviously terrible for the person at its centre, but as this film makes clear, it's also terrible for those around them... more so, perhaps.


You can watch more of Charlotte Regan's work here. Next, ring Bethany Reilly on 020 3487 1270 or email bethany@somesuch.co.

News

CAMILLE SUMMERS-VALLI LANDS AT MJZ.

Director, artist, and photographer Camille Summers-Valli is now on the books at MJZ


RASCAL SWOOP FOR TIM SMITH.

Tim Smith, "one of the best and most sought-after colourists in the industry", now plies his trade at RASCAL.


IT'S KELSEY LARKIN FOR REVOLVER FILMS.

Kelsey Larkin has joined Revolver Films in Canada for commercials and music videos.


EVE ASHWELL JOINS TENTHREE AS A PARTNER

Eve Ashwell, one of the best editors in the world, has added her considerable talent to the roster at tenthree, bolstering an already formidable line-up.


JESSICA BACLESSE SAYS YES TO NOMAD.

Jessica Baclesse, co-editor of 'Creed III', is "thrilled" to call Nomad home.


IT WAS A BIG NIGHT AT THE UK MVAS FOR AUBE PERRIE AND AIDAN ZAMIRI.

Brat summer time (BST) may have elapsed this weekend but its last hurrah at the UK MVAs on Thursday saw Charli XCX's cultural phenomenon land one of the biggest prizes of the night for Glaswegian director Aidan Zamari.


AMROU AL-KADHI JOINS KNUCKLEHEAD

When Knucklehead's Tim Katz describes their new signing Amrou Al-Kadhi as "the quintessential polymath" there is not a word of exaggeration.


JON E PRICE IS BACK ON THE SCENE WITH KODE.

Jon E Price has returned to the director's chair with Kode.


THE BERRY BOYS ARRIVE AT OUTSIDER.

Ryan Burnham and Luke Robson's persistence has paid off as The Berry Boys join Outsider.


CREATORS INC HAVE A NÜESCH DAY.

Sisters Kim and Florine Nüesch are now on the books at Creators Inc.


MAGIC EDIT SUMMON SCARLETT BOVINGDON.

Scarlett Bovingdon, whose long list of credits includes short films like 'Sugar Babies' and 'Scraps', has completed her move to Magic Edit.


ILKA & FRANZ HEAD TO HUNKYDORY.

Ilka Noggler and Franz Thomueller are proud to be in such "illustrious company" as they join HunkyDory for representation.


THE SWEETSHOP WELCOME KID BURRO

André H Saito and Cesar Nery love donkeys, so much so that the Brazilians call themselves Kid Burro.


SPINDLE SIGN BRBR

Spaniards Luis Rojo and Nacho A Villar, also known as BRBR, have signed with Spindle in the UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.


RIC CANTOR SIGNS WITH EPOCH IN THE UK, AMSTERDAM, IRELAND, AND ASIA.

Ric Cantor signs with Epoch in the UK, Amsterdam, Ireland, and Asia.


BRIAN DURNIN LANDS AT MTP.

Irish director Brian Durnin is now on the books at Mallinson Television Productions (MTP).


CHARLI XCX ON TRACK FOR A BIG NIGHT AT THE UK MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

Charli XCX is among a host of artists who'll be hoping for recognition at the UKMVAs on 24 October.


ABSOLUTE WELCOME ELLIS MCGOURLAY AS SENIOR SOUND DESIGNER.

Absolute have a new Senior Sound Designer in the form of Ellis McGourlay.


DAVID WATCHES... 'KENSUKE'S KINGDOM'.

Kirk Hendry made an eighty-year-old man cry not so long ago. Is he proud of himself? You bet he is.


MARYSUE MASSON HOOKS UP WITH JOHNNY FOREIGNER.

Johnny Foreigner call Marysue Masson "an unstoppable comedy force" as she signs for commercial representation.


PARK VILLAGE GAIN NOTHING LOST.

Chas Appeti and Junior Okoli have been friends for close to a decade now, and what better way to celebrate than to join Park Village?


WAVE STUDIOS HIRE ARCHIE PRESLEY AS GLOBAL ENGINEER.

Intrepid sound designer Archie Presley is back at Wave Studios after eighteen months in Australia.


ARTHUR LOK ENLISTS WITH LOOP TALENT.

Director of photography Arthur LOK (or Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe) has joined Loop Talent.


NEXUS SWOOP FOR HANNAH LAU-WALKER.

Nexus Studios say Hannah Lau-Walker is "the kind of exceptional talent that we are proud to champion".


ALE DORDONI HEADS TO FINAL CUT.

Italian editor Alessandro 'Ale' Dordoni has joined the UK roster of Final Cut.


News

Address: Woodbourne House, Seven Sisters, Lenzie, G66 3AW. Telephone: +44 141 776 7766. Editor: Jason Stone.