Shifty (2008)

Director:

Eran Creevy

Writer:

Eran Creevy (writer)

Release Date:

24 April 2009 (UK)

Genre:

Thriller

Tagline:

24 hours to deal yourself out

Plot:

Shifty, a young crack cocaine dealer in London, sees his life quickly spiral out of control when his best friend returns home...

Plot Keywords:

Cocaine | Park | Crack | Bus | Police

Awards:

6 nominations

Cast

Riz Ahmed	...	Shifty
Daniel Mays	...	Chris
Jason Flemyng	...	Glen
Nitin Ganatra	...	Rez
Jay Simpson	...	Trevor
Dannielle Brent	...	Jasmine
Francesca Annis	...	Valerie
Kate Groombridge	...	Loretta
Jason Maza	...	Malik
Jordan Long	...	Lenny
Rory Jennings	...	Otis
Courtney Day	...	Otis' Girlfriend
Gracie Fitch	...	Katie Palmer
Nathaniel Gleed	...	Freddy Palmer
Eddie Webber	...	Bob Moran

Runtime:

85 min | Germany:86 min (European Film Market)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

UK:15 (cut) | Ireland:16

Company:

BBC Films

Excellent ...

Considering that this was the Writer / Director's (Eran Creevy) first feature film (previously he had made several music videos and adverts), and that it had been shot in 18 days on a budget of just £100K, this was a really rather good film.

The actors were very competent, especially Riz Ahmed (as Shifty), Daniel Mays (as Chris) and Jason Flemyng (as Glen) who were all very believable in their roles, the narrative moved along nicely, and there were enough twists and turns (especially at the end) to keep everyone interested in the plot – and to what was happening to the characters.

The action revolves around two school friends that had lost touch and had just met up again after four years … one of them becoming increasingly involved in drug dealing … much to his friends dismay.

Apparently the tale was based on the tale of a boyhood friend of the directors – which heavily influenced the writing and the ambiance of the film … this may well have had a bearing on the Director's feel for the story – and "getting it right" – this passion certainly shone through with regards to the subject matter – and the atmosphere of the finished film.

An added bonus (as this was an early preview screening) was that the Director (Eran Creevy) and one of the main cast members (Jason Flemyng – Snatch, Transporter 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, etc.) were on hand for a Q&A session with the audience after the film – which was most welcomed and went down very well.

It may have been the directors first film – but it certainly won't be his last …