Submarine

Colour, 35 mm
United Kingdom, USA, 2010, 94 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

Oliver is fifteen and his life is full of the kind of worries boys his age have – he is suffering an existential crisis, he’s determined to lose his virginity and he’s afraid his parents’ marriage won’t go the distance. But the tale of this young Welsh lad differs in his view of the world, his problems and, most of all, of himself. Based on the book by Joe Dunthorne, the film is a portrait of a precocious, somewhat self-centred young man who likes to see himself as a hero in a film about his own life. But as a reader of dictionaries he is, naturally, not the most popular guy in town. His story, told in the first person, isn’t simply a catalogue of everyday experiences, but a mixed bag of reminiscences, fantasies, fears, eccentric observations and pseudo-philosophical reflections. Submarine is the directorial debut of Richard Ayoade, the treasured actor behind Moss from the British sit-com "The IT Crowd.” With his cinematic invention, he not only succeeded in preserving the specific humour of the novel, but he also found the film vision to match it.

About the director

Richard Ayoade (b. 1977, London) was born to a Nigerian father and Norwegian mother. He studied law at St Catharine’s College in Cambridge (1995-98). He made his name as co-writer on the comic horror show (with Matthew Holness) Garth Marenghi’s Fright Knight, whose spin-off Garth Marenghi’s Netherhead brought them the 2001 Perrier Award. They then transferred fictional horror writer Garth Marenghi to the TV screen in 2004 (the series "Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace”). His character from this series returned in 2006 to the comedy chat show "Man to Man with Dean Learner.” Ayoade is best known for creating the brilliant computer nerd Moss in the sit-com "The IT Crowd” (2006–10). Ayoade was involved as director in a majority of the series mentioned above, and he has also made several music videos. Submarine is his feature film debut.