Dead Man´s Shoes

Colour, 35 mm
United Kingdom, 2004, 86 min
Section: Another View

Synopsis

Although Shane Meadows’ last film was a biting comedy, his new movie, which also takes place in the Midlands, is replete with the desolately dark and disturbing tones of malice and violence. Richard (Paddy Considine) always looked out for his younger brother Anthony (Toby Kebbell). But after Richard enlists, the simple-minded Anthony finds himself under the sway of a small-time drug lord named Sonny. Seven years pass and Richard heads for his hometown in the Midlands. The house he grew up in doesn’t belong to him anymore, so he camps out at an abandoned farm. At first Sonny’s gang of hoods don’t take Richard’s return seriously. But they’re making a mistake - the time has come to settle old accounts. The film was screened at the IFF in Venice and Toronto.

About the director

Shane Meadows (b. 1972, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire) is essentially a self-trained screenwriter and director. Thanks to intensive practical training he was later invited to work in television. He wrote, produced, and directed the hour-long Small Time (1996), starring in the film as well. He was then offered a chance to shoot 24/7 (1997) for the BBC featuring Bob Hoskins. The film screened at Venice in 1998, taking the FIPRESCI Prize. In his next film, A Room for Romeo Brass (1999), Meadows offered a role to colleague Paddy Considine. Then followed Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002; this biting comedy was screened at Cannes in its Directors’ Fortnight section.