Pure

Colour, 35 mm
United Kingdom, 2002, 96 min
Section: Horizons

Synopsis

The story takes place in London’s East End. Ten-year-old Paul isn’t enjoying his carefree childhood like other kids his age. Indeed, after his father dies he becomes “the head of the family” and must care for his younger brother and junkie mother. Despite his tender age, he tries to support her in her futile struggle against addiction. In the end, however, Paul weakens and decides to find out what’s so fascinating about drugs and why his mother succumbed to them. This dramatic film about innocence, purity and the clash with the hard and merciless realities of life was inspired by many similar cases. It features outstanding performances by Molly Parker as the mother and Harry Eden as Paul. The director said about the film: ???. Pure started its festival run in Toronto and was screened at this year’s Berlinale. Keira Knightley, known to Karlovy Vary fans from last year’s screening of Bend It Like Beckham, acted one of the main roles.

About the director

Gillies MacKinnon (b. 1948, Glasgow) was originally an art teacher, later a youth social worker in central London. He then graduated from the National Film School. His graduation film, Passing Glory, captured the attention of Channel 4 TV and thus began his cooperation with television; he confirmed his talent with the TV drama Needle (1990). After working in television for several years he wrote and directed the feature Small Faces (1996, with camerawork by John de Borman); the film received critical acclaim and two international awards. He is currently working on the script for a film set in Scotland at the end of the 17th century. Filmography: Passing Glory (1986, short), The Conquest of the South Pole (1989), Needle (1990, TV), The Grass Arena (1991, TV), The Playboys (1991), A Simple Twist of Fate (1994), Small Faces (1996), Trojan Eddy (1996), Regeneration (1997), Hideous Kinky (1998), The Last of the Blond Bombshells (2000), The Escapist (2001).