Michelle Strozykowski's Blog
Posted by Michelle Strozykowski
I've just written an article about a true life occurrence of my fave film subject staple 'the underdog done good'. Acclaimed, but little known (at the moment) band The Leisure Society look all set to benefit from the surprise nomination of front man Nick Hemming for the British music industry's most prestigious Ivor Novello award. Check it out here: British Band - The Leisure Society .
Nick's beautiful songs are proper spine-tingly-tastic compositions, so it's not hard to see why his music has already made its mark in a couple of Shane Meadow's films, namely A Room for Romeo Brass and Dead Man's Shoes.
Nick Hemming was also, well over a decade ago, in a band called She Talks To Angels with Shane Meadows, Rich Eaton and Britain's answer to Robert Di Nero Paddy Considine. It's a little nugget of info the mainstream press have been quick to pick up on, but I can trump them all because I've actually witnessed a She Talks To Angels gig. Well, gig might be pushing it a bit. I've seen them plough through a couple of songs at college tho'. We were all at college together, see, only they've all done noticeably better than me. Well, all except Rich. Lovely Rich Eaton. He was a cool dude! Maybe he has done exceptionally well, but quietly and totally un-noticed, like your humble foreign films steward (me!)
On the off chance that anyone is reading this other than my coupla regulars, maybe I should just point out that I'm the Foreign Film Feature Writer at Suite101, and this blog is (on its rare and spontaneous updates) usually dedicated to British and foreign films, such as these recent (and by recent I mean recently written about - I'm aware that Pather Panchali was made in the 1950s) little gems:
But on this occasion, I thought I'd make an exception and veer into the music world. I'm stupidly happy for Nick, getting the nomination, which is really unusual being as normally when these sort of things happen to people I know, or nearly know, or used to know a long time ago, I tend to get helplessly consumed by the green eyed monster who eats bitter for breakfast. Maybe it's 'cause it's music, not film, but I really love The Leisure Society. Can't help myself, love them!!!! So, check them out on myspace, and buy their records. They are ace!!!
Posted by Michelle Strozykowski
Awards season is creeping up again, with Oscar and Bafta noms all on the table. Check out which foreign films are in the running, and what to look forward to in 2009. Personally, I can't wait to see The Damned United.
As a Derby County fan, ex-season ticket holder (can't get to all those games anymore) and steadfast admirer of Mr Brian Clough I am very excited. Michael Sheen has been quietly carving himself a reputation as one of Britain's finest actors. The few clips I've seen of him playing Cloughie confirm he has captured the man perfectly. His unique turn of phrase and tone of voice an instant reminder of football's glory days.
As a fan and a screenplay writer I have long considered drafting a Brian Clough story. I even pitched it once. Remember that book Rebel without a Crew? It was an on the hop account of how Robert Rodriguez made his first film El Mariachi. Anyway, at the end there was a competition to win a movie camera, you just had to answer a few simple questions and pitch your idea in less than 20 sentences. I don't remember what I said, but the premise was definitely a Cloughie biopic. Needless to say I didn't win. What was I thinking? Why on Earth would Rodriguez have even heard of Brian Clough?
Anyway, I'm very glad there is now a film that celebrates one of football's greatest characters – even if it is based on his disasterous spell at Leeds United – and very glad Michael Sheen is in it as well. It might not be up for an Oscar, but The Damned United gets my vote for most eagerly anticipated film of 2009.