As some of you may know, in my quest to educate myself, I tend to watch indie films with Q&A with either the director/writer (more common) or protagonist (less common) in attendance. We are, in the UK (especially London), rather more fortunate, to be able to attract this talent as indie films don't have Hollywood budgets to promote their films. I was again, fortunate to be able to watch Scrapper with Q&A after the screening with Lola Campbell (Protagonist), Charlotte Regan (Writer/Director), Alin Uzun, Theo Barraclough (Producer) at the Ritzy in Brixton, London, UK. Not sure if this film will get distribution in the US.
I can, wholehearted say, I laughed and shed a tear for the main character, Georgie, who loses her mum from cancer and has to fend for herself. The arrival, unexpectedly, of her absent father creates a different dynamic to her current living arrangement. Without giving away too much, the film is a lesson in tension, emotion and payoff. If you're in the UK and there's a screening, go see it. It's a film with a lot of heart, an up ending, but peppered with a bitter sweet conclusion. Georgie and Jason's ending is not saccharin and predictable but a lesson in how life is not always simple and straight forward. Lola Campbell did an impressive job as the protagonist, a natural and gifted actor. I felt very privileged to have been there to see a rising talent in the director and actor in this heart warming production.
I have hope that great films, with a message and enormous talent from cast and crew will impact the audience as they journey through the process of bringing a touching film into being. Watch this space, Charlotte Regan is an upcoming director,, I have no doubt she will be one to keep an eye on.
