Northwest Vision and Media, create the bigger picture
Liverpools Latest Film makes a World Impression
NORTHWEST’S MUD ON TOUR
THE latest feature film to come out of the Northwest, Under The Mud, has begun its world tour – and its receiving rave reviews.
Under The Mud - created, written and dramatised by a group of Northwest teenagers - is receiving an enthusiastic reception at festivals abroad. These include screenings in Ireland, Canada and the USA. “We couldn’t have asked for a better response, every film festival we’ve visited has given us rave reviews,” explains Solon Papadopoulos, the film’s director.
The Victoria Film Festival, held near Vancouver, Canada, described the piece as: “An invigoratingly, innovative, fiercely funny and achingly compelling portrait of a working-class Liverpool family - a tip of the cap to early Mike Leigh films.”
And at Colorado’s Durango Film Festival, Sol, together with Producer Roy Boulter, were made to feel like returning heroes to the famous Western town, home to many famous John Ford and John Wayne cowboy shootouts.
Liverpool-based Hurricane Films made Under the Mud, which was the only British feature in the Durango festival, and the only feature to be selected by a unanimous decision by selectors.
However, in the lead up to the screenings Roy and Sol had some
anxious moments. “We were a little concerned the fast-paced
scouse accent wouldn’t be understood by mid-west America. But
most people seemed to laugh in all the right places, so it must
have been ok,” says Solon.
“If there had been a Best Foreign Language section, I think
we would have won!” adds Roy.
The producers travelled to the film festivals with assistance from North West Vision, the film, TV and digital media development agency for the Northwest, together with a grant from the UK Trade and Investment Department.
“At the festivals we did Q&As and film panels and had two screenings. The events also gave us the opportunity to meet fellow film makers and establish relationships for the next, and future projects,” explains Solon.
Both judges and audiences alike appeared to appreciate the Liverpool duo’s efforts to take their movie to the festivals. “There’s no replacing that on the ground presence, whenever the film gets selected for a festival,” says Roy.
Next up for Under The Mud is a screening in Californian wine country, at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, where hopefully some Hollywood big-hitters will be able to sample a taste of Liverpool culture.
Unfortunately, although Solon and Roy won’t be able to attend the California event, they definitely will be attending the world-famous Cannes Film Festival in May. Under The Mud is one of three major Liverpool-produced feature films which North West Vision will be supporting at the event.
Alice Morrison, North West Vision’s Chief Executive, says huge emphasis will be placed on the Northwest’s feature film output at this year’s internationally-acclaimed event.
“Under The Mud fully deserves all the praise and attention it is currently getting. Some really exciting feature films have been made in the region over recent years, and it’s wonderful that three of those films – Under The Mud, Sparkle and Allotment, are premiering this year,” says Alice.
