Special People (film)
Special People | |
---|---|
Directed by | Justin Edgar |
Written by | Justin Edgar |
Produced by | Alex Usborne |
Starring | Jason Maza David Proud Dominic Coleman Sasha Hardway Robyn Frampton Simon Lowe |
Cinematography | Zac Nicholson |
Edited by | Mark Burgess |
Music by | Kim Humphrey |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Special People is a 2007 British film was directed by Justin Edgar for 104 Films. The film received widespread press coverage as a result of censorship of its disability themes.[1]
Plot
[edit]Enlisted to teach a class of wheelchair-users about filmmaking, the neurotic Jasper gets a little more than he bargained for. His charges seem to know more than he does about his subject; they're not impressed by his own heartfelt social realist oeuvre; and they meet his every suggestion with the blank indifference peculiar to the streetwise adolescent. Questions condescending outreach projects, self-defeating attitudes within the disabled community, and the vacuity of the film business - all with a sly wink and a healthy helping of self-parody
Cast
[edit]- Jason Maza - Dave
- David Proud - Scott Swadkins
- Dominic Coleman - Jasper
- Sasha Hardway - Anias
- Robyn Frampton - Jess
- Simon Lowe - Policeman
Production
[edit]Special People, Directed by Justin Edgar for 104 Films. Filmed on location in Birmingham UK and the Malven Hills UK.
Release
[edit]Released on 21 November 2008 (UK) Special People attracted National press with the BBFC classifying the film as a 12A for "moderate sex references, language, violence and disability theme." Sparking criticism from cast and Disability groups that audiences should not have to be warned that a film has a disability theme.
Reception
[edit]On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 89% based on reviews from 9 critics. The critical consensus states "Low budget British comedy which is sharply written and nicely acted whilst confounding disability misconceptions and prejudices on the way."[2] On its release The Guardian hailed Special People as "A milestone in mainstream cinema" for its use of disabled cast.[3] The Radio Times called it " A triumph of understated, heartfelt humour"[citation needed] and the Daily Mirror "A little gem".[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Director's anger over comedy film's 'disability' warning". The Independent. 2008-11-16. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
- ^ "Special People". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
- ^ Barkham, Patrick (2008-11-19). "Ready and able". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
- ^ Administrator, mirror (2008-11-20). "Review: Special People". mirror. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2010) |
- http://www.104films.com/special-people/
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7748854.stm
- https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/directors-anger-over-comedy-films-disability-warning-1020484.html
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3526522/Anger-as-film-censors-put-12A-on-film-for-containing-disabled-themes.html