Kiss of Life (2003)

Helen lives in London with her father and her kids. John, her husband, is an aid-worker in Eastern Europe. He has been gone many months. Helen is desperately anxious that he should come ... See full summary »

Director:

Emily Young

Writer:

Emily Young

Stars:

Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Peter Mullan, David Warner

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ingeborga Dapkunaite	...	Helen
Peter Mullan	...	John
David Warner	...	Pap
Millie Findlay	...	Kate
James E. Martin	...	Telly
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ivan Bijuk	...	Old Man
Sonnell Dadral	...	Rajiv
Natalie Dew	...	Nicky
Gemma Jones	...	Sonia
Elizabeth Powell	...	Little Kate
Marinko Prga	...	Mercedes Driver
Barbara Rocco	...	Woman In Bar
Dragica Sreckovic	...	Old Woman
Davor Svedruzic	...	Angry Soldier
Heather Tobias	...	Teacher

Storyline

Helen lives in London with her father and her kids. John, her husband, is an aid-worker in Eastern Europe. He has been gone many months. Helen is desperately anxious that he should come home. Taking the kids to school one morning, she is killed in a car accident. She remains caught in limbo, trapped between life and death. Many miles away, in war-torn Eastern Europe, John is unaware that his wife has died. As Helen herself is unaware that she is dead¿ Thus begins, a four-day Odyssey: Grandpa and the kids must come to terms with Helen's death; John must travel across a war-torn land as he tries to reach home; and Helen must stand helplessly observing her own existence as it comes back to haunt her - until at last she is reconciled with John, and thus released.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 January 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Helen of Peckham

Company Credits

Production Co:

Autonomous, BBC Films, Baker Street Media Finance Take Five

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Just Wanna Be"
Written by Robert J. Walsh

User Reviews

Excellent, moving film

I caught this film on the BBC on the 4th of September 06. The film is as they say "Essential cinema" . I liked it enough to prompt me to register here so I could comment on the film.

The film is very clever, the imagery is beautiful and the acting quality is high.

To appreciate this film, you need to have an open mind as this film is quite contemporary in the telling of the underlying story, which is why i think this film works so well, representing the emotions of bereavement in the family wouldn't have been as powerfully if it had been done more traditionally.

I don't agree with Sacha Van Spall's patronising comments; it's always easier to criticise than compliment something when it's different. Take a moment to realise this film !