Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

An illegal Nigerian immigrant discovers the unpalatable side of London life.

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writer:

Steven Knight

Stars:

Audrey Tautou, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sergi López

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Audrey Tautou	...	Senay Gelik
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Okwe
Sergi López	...	Sneaky / Juan
Sophie Okonedo	...	Juliette
Benedict Wong	...	Guo Yi
Kenan Hudaverdi	...	Cafe Owner
Damon Younger	...	Punter
Paul Bhattacharjee	...	Mohammed
Darrell D'Silva	...	Immigration Officer
Sotigui Kouyaté	...	Shinti
Abi Gouhad	...	Shinti's Son
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Yemi Ajibade	...	Mini Cab Driver (as Ade-Yemi Ajibade)
Barber Ali	...	Sweatshop Foreman
Josef Altin	...	Sweatshop Boy (as Yusuf Altin)
Fisun Burgess	...	Factory Worker

Storyline

Okwe, a kind-hearted Nigerian doctor, and Senay, a Turkish chambermaid, work at the same West London hotel. The hotel is run by Senor Sneaky and is the sort of place where dirty business like drug dealing and prostitution takes place. However, when Okwe finds a human heart in one of the toilets, he uncovers something far more sinister than just a common crime.

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Plot Keywords:

hotel | nigerian | doctor | west london | chambermaid | 

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Taglines:

Some things are too dangerous to keep secret.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, disturbing images and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [us]

Country:

UK

Language:

English Somali Spanish French

Release Date:

13 December 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Loin de chez eux

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$59,135 (Australia) (18 June 2004)

Gross:

$161,735 (Australia) (18 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Celador Films, Jonescompany Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Damien O'Donnell was originally attached to direct, but he decided to pass after problems with Harvey Weinstein. He directed Heartlands instead.

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Goofs

Guo Yi says the mythological figure who ferries the dead to Hades is Pylades; in fact the ferryman's name is Charon. Pylades is the companion of Orestes.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Okwe: Do you want a car? Ten pounds, Theatreland. Car? London? You want a taxi? Buckingham Palace.

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Connections

References The Conversation (1974)

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Soundtracks

"OOJAMI Fantazy"
Written by Necmi Calvi
Produced by Oojami
Licensed from Ark 21 Records

User Reviews

Worth seeing

A thoroughly engaging film which I would have no hesitation in recommending. Other reviewers have given away the major elements of the plot which may mean that you may find that it takes time to "cut to the chase" if you read the comments here before you see it. You are better off seeing this film "cold" knowing neither the plot nor the players. It does tend to get a bit goarey towards the end, but not without reason. A well written, superbly acted (especially by the two leads) and expertly directed work that makes you continue to believe that cinema can still be political and make important points without hitting you over the head with a blunt instrument. My only minor crib would be the accents which can be difficult to decipher or in Tatou's case slightly off (her character is supposed to be Turkish but the accent is more Eastern European).