Special People (film)
Special People | |
---|---|
Directed by | Justin Edgar |
Produced by | Alex Usborne |
Written by | Justin Edgar |
Starring |
Jason Maza David Proud Dominic Coleman Sasha Hardway Robyn Frampton Simon Lowe |
Music by | Kim Humphrey |
Cinematography | Zac Nicholson |
Edited by | Mark Burgess |
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
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
- Jason Maza - Dave
- David Proud - Scott Swadkins
- Dominic Coleman - Jasper
- Sasha Hardway - Anias
- Robyn Frampton - Jess
- Simon Lowe - Policeman
Production
Special People, Directed by Justin Edgar for 104 Films. Filmed on location in Birmingham UK and the Malven Hills UK.
Release
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
Special People garnered widespread critical acclaim from critics and has a "certified fresh" score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. 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" and the Daily Mirror "A little gem"[4]
References
- ↑ "Director's anger over comedy film's 'disability' warning". The Independent. 2008-11-16. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
- ↑ Special People, retrieved 2016-10-21
- ↑ 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.
- http://www.104films.com/special-people/
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/nov/20/film-disability-special-people-disable
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7748854.stm
- http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/directors-anger-over-comedy-films-disability-warning-1020484.html
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3526522/Anger-as-film-censors-put-12A-on-film-for-containing-disabled-themes.html