Filth and Wisdom (2008)

A comedy centered on three flatmates living desperate lives in London.

Director:

Madonna

Writers:

Madonna, Dan Cadan

Stars:

Eugene Hutz, Holly Weston, Vicky McClure

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eugene Hutz	...	A.K.
Holly Weston	...	Holly
Vicky McClure	...	Juliette
Richard E. Grant	...	Professor Flynn
Inder Manocha	...	Sardeep
Elliot Levey	...	Business Man
Francesca Kingdon	...	Francine
Clare Wilkie	...	Chloe
Stephen Graham	...	Harry Beechman
Hannah Walters	...	Business Man's Wife
Shobu Kapoor	...	Sardeep's Wife
Ade	...	DJ
Guy Henry	...	Lorcan O'Niell
Nunzio Palmara	...	Nunzio
George Keeler	...	Frail Man

Storyline

In London, A.K. is a Ukrainian Gypsy, seeking fame as a rocker, doing odd jobs: he's a dom, drives a hack, and runs errands for his neighbor, a poet full of self pity since going blind. A.K's flatmates are Holly, a ballerina who becomes a reluctant stripper in need of coaching, and Juliette, a pill-popping assistant at a pharmacy run by an Indian tired of his marriage. Juliette, estranged from her family, dreams of helping the poor children of Africa; A.K. has a crush on Holly; Juliette's boss lusts after her. Her hapless sister calls from time to time. The poet despairs. Is there a route from filth to wisdom for these souls? Can they find fun and fulfillment? A.K. provides philosophical comment.

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Plot Keywords:

gypsy | thong | punk rock band | red panties | cultural revolution | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

La Fabrique de Films [France] Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English Russian Hindi

Release Date:

17 September 2008 (France)

Also Known As:

Ithiki kai hydaiotita

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£3,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,597 (USA) (17 October 2008)

Gross:

$22,406 (USA) (21 November 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Semtex Films, HSI Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min 81 min (PAL Version)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the scene where Juliette is talking to A.K and is angry at him she is wearing suspenders. However, when the camera pans to the back of her head her suspenders are not visible.

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Quotes

A.K.: When I die, I'm going to go straight to Heaven. And you are going to ask me why. Did I pray enough? No. Did I share enough? Not really. Was I humble enough? Definantly not. So what makes you so sure you're going straight to Heaven, you ask. And I will tell you: because I told the truth.

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Connections

References Mary Poppins (1964)

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Soundtracks

"My Strange Uncles From Abroad"
Written and Performed by Gogol Bordello
Published by 26f RPM (ASCAP)
By arrangement with Side One Dummy Records

User Reviews

Good movie, very underrated! See it for yourself!

I really liked the film. I admit I almost didn't go to see it because of all the bad press, but Im happy I did. And for those who haven't seen it and consider not to based on all the criticism, you really should go and see it for yourself.

I wonder what these critics were really expecting? Something a little more Hollywood? And what do you consider to be a "good" movie, if you don't seem to like this one very much?

I found the movie to be very honest. The only part I wasn't so convinced of was the the blind guy, his facial expressions didn't match the character, I think he smiled too much.

But other than that, where is the problem? Have any of you ever worked as a Dominatrix or known any sex workers? Or professional dancers who turned to working at a strip club to earn a living? You say "cliché" but often clichés/stereotypes exist for a reason, because actual human beings (re)act in certain ways in certain situations.

I think Madonna should feel proud of her work here! It was inspiring in its way, regardless of what some might say.