Shane Meadows

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Shane Meadows (2009)

Shane Meadows (born December 26, 1972 in Uttoxeter , Staffordshire , England ) is a British director and screenwriter.

life and work

Shane Meadows grew up in Nottingham . As a teenager, he was expelled from school for theft. After various jobs and an unfinished acting and photography training, he attended an art school and gained his first experience behind the camera there. Got a taste for it, he borrowed a camcorder and made over 30 short films with friends and acquaintances.

In 1995 his TV documentary The Gypsy's Tale was released . A year later he shot the 60 minute long film Small Time , for which he not only wrote the screenplay, but also produced, directed, edited and also appeared in a supporting role. For Small Time , Meadows received the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival .

Most of Shane Meadow's works are autobiographical in nature. For example, the 1997 film Twenty Four Seven was inspired by his own experiences. The film is about a man who wants to show the disaffected youth in Nottingham new perspectives and founds a boxing club.

His next film, A Room for Romeo Brass (1999), is a dark and twisted story set in the English Midlands . This strip is semi-autobiographical. The friendship between the two main characters reflects the relationship between Shane Meadows and his best friend Paul Fraser, co-writer of the film.

Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002) is Meadows' comedic homage to the spaghetti western genre. A man returns to the Midlands to win back his ex-girlfriend's heart. "Once Upon a Time in the Midlands" had the largest budget yet, which Meadows welcomed as it allowed him to work with better known actors. Among other things, he was able to sign Robert Carlyle (known from Trainspotting ) and James Cosmo (including Braveheart ).

Dead Man's Shoes (2004) with Paddy Considine in the lead role is based on the unpleasant side of his youth. The film is based on the life of a good friend who had a drug problem and who later died by suicide. Shane Meadows said: “I couldn't believe it. When I went back ten years after that incident, he was totally forgotten in his hometown. It was like he never existed. I was full of anger against these people who had bullied him and so pushed into the drug scene. And I was desperate about what the drugs had done in this small town. "

This is England (2006) brings the viewer back to the England of the Thatcher era and into the dreary suburban concrete slums of British industrial hamlets. The film is based on memories of Shane Meadows, who was active in the skinhead scenehimself in the early 80s. It tells the story of 12-year-old Shaun ( Thomas Turgoose ), who through his friendship with a group of skinheads finally finds the recognition hesorely missedafter the death of his father, who died in the Falklands War .

Critics call This is England Meadow's best work to date. The film won the British Independent Film Award, the Best Director Award at the Newport International Film Festival and won the BAFTA Awards for Best British Film of the Year.

Somers Town (2008) is a black and white drama set in the heart of London. It is about the budding friendship between two adolescents from different cultures. "Somers Town" is Meadows' second collaboration with Thomas Turgoose , who also stars in this film. "Somers Town" was first presented at the 2008 Berlinale .

Filmography

Awards

For "Twenty Four Seven"

  • 1997
Thessaloniki Film Festival "Best Screenplay"
Venice Film Festival " FIPRESCI Prize "
  • 1998
Angers European First Film Festival: "CICAE Award", "European Special Jury Award", "Telcipro Award"
British Independent Film Awards: "Douglas Hickox Award"
Brussels International Film Festival: "Crystal Star - Best European Feature"
Valladolid International Film Festival: "Best New Director"
  • 1999
Castellinaria International Festival of Young Cinema: "Bronze Castle"

For "Dead Man's Shoes"

  • 2004
Dinard British Film Festival: "Golden Hitchcock"
  • 2005
Directors Guild of Great Britain: "DGGB Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in British Film"

For "This is England"

  • 2007
Gijón International Film Festival: "Young Audience Award ('Enfants Terribles')"
Newport International Film Festival: "Best Director Award"
  • 2008
BAFTA Awards : "Best British Film"
Mons International Festival of Love Films: "Best European Film"

For "Somers Town"

  • 2008
Edinburgh International Film Festival Awards: "Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film"

In 2008 Shane Meadows received the award for “ Outstanding Contribution to British Film ” from the British film magazine “ Empire ” .

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Meadows, Shane
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British director and screenwriter
DATE OF BIRTH December 26, 1972
PLACE OF BIRTH Uttoxeter , Staffordshire, England