The Lives of the Saints (2006)

Mr Karva runs a shady little empire in North London. We don't know exactly how he makes his money but we know it's probably not very nice. Mr Karva's stepson, Othello, has ambitions to take... See full summary »

Directors:

Chris Cottam, Rankin

Writer:

Tony Grisoni

Stars:

James Cosmo, David Leon, Emma Pierson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Cosmo	...	Mr. Karva
David Leon	...	Othello
Emma Pierson	...	Tina
Bronson Webb	...	Emilio
Sam MacLintock	...	The Child
Daon Broni	...	Roadrunner
Gillian Kearney	...	Christella
Marc Warren	...	Father Daniel
James Cook	...	Twin Boy I
Jude Cook	...	Twin Boy II
Paddy Fletcher	...	Drunk / Michali
Stella Quilley	...	Granny
Renu Setna	...	Maqsood Senior
Raj Ghatak	...	Maqsood Junior
Josh Cole	...	Bookie

Storyline

Mr Karva runs a shady little empire in North London. We don't know exactly how he makes his money but we know it's probably not very nice. Mr Karva's stepson, Othello, has ambitions to take the old man's place; and Othello's fainthearted friend, Emilio, has ambitions of his own. This delicate balance of power is upset when Roadrunner finds a strange, sickly-looking 10 year old boy in the park. All his life, Roadrunner has been on the move - but when he looks into the child's eyes, he finds he can finally stop running. It becomes clear that the child can grant each character their own taste of heaven - the 'perfect, rosy future of your dreams'. The child never talks but transforms the world around him, working on the desire in each character's heart, whatever it may be. Othello wins every bet he makes; Christella finds a new son to replace the baby she lost; Mr. Karva achieves his elusive orgasm and Father Daniel is finally able to express his own secret passions. But nothing ever ...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content including images of an assault, violence, drug use and some strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 2007 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Bethnal Green Town Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dazed Film & TV

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

An example to the British film industry.

I saw this film at the London Film festival, and along with Shane Meadows' This is England it was the best film there. It is ambitious in a way few films dare to be for fear of commercial exclusion and entertaining on a variety of levels.

Rankin has been very shrewd. For his debut feature he has taken on a project which not only reflects the values of Dazed and Confused magazine but which sends out the message that he is more interested in quality film making rather than just making a quick buck.

The Cast is strong and centres around the character of Othello played by David Leon who gives one of the most impressive and dynamic debut performances I have seen. He is joined by James Cosmo, again giving what must be one of the best performances of his career playing the overbearing, beast of a man, local boss Mr Karva. Surrounded by support from Bronson Webb (Emilio) and Marc Warren (wanna-be transvestite, father Daniel) the ensemble add layers of depth which at times border on weird but, manage to somehow remain surprising and wholly original.

It felt to me a a conscious decision to rebel against the so often seen 'tale of urban London', found in our multiplexes since the success of Lock stock. The huge achievement of the film is the fact that in that sense it has huge irony, as on the surface it seems to be the aforementioned however we quickly realise this is a conscious ploy, Lives of the Saints is a moral tale, wrapped in urban London paper, set on the streets of a pocket of London so remote it could be anywhere, yours or my backyard, the tale being that greed, no matter in what form it may manifest itself, will ultimately have it's consequences or that: "what you want is not always what you need." It left me wanting more.