Brothers of the Head (2005)

In the 1970s a music promoter plucks Siamese twins from obscurity and grooms them into a freakish rock'n'roll act. A dark tale of sex, strangeness and rock music.

Directors:

Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe

Writers:

Brian Aldiss (novel), Tony Grisoni (screenplay)

Stars:

Luke Treadaway, Harry Treadaway, Jonathan Pryce

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Pryce	...	Henry Couling
John Simm	...	Boatman
Ken Russell	...	Himself
James Greene	...	Brian Aldiss
Elizabeth Rider	...	Roberta Howe
Luke Wagner	...	Young Zak
Anna Nygh	...	Zak's Mum / Rita Bedderwick
Howard Attfield	...	Zak Bedderwick
Sean Harris	...	Nick Sidney
Edward Hogg	...	Chris Dervish (as Ed Hogg)
Bryan Dick	...	Paul Day - 1970's
Nicholas Millard	...	Tubs
David Kennedy	...	Paul Day - Present day
Ken Bones	...	Henry Couling
Jane Horrocks	...	Roberta Howe

Storyline

In the 1970s a music promoter plucks Siamese twins from obscurity and grooms them into a freakish rock'n'roll act. A dark tale of sex, strangeness and rock music.

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Plot Keywords:

gay kiss | siamese twins | 1970s | threesome | sibling rivalry | 

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Taglines:

For some people... Rock & Roll was always a freak show.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, drug use and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

IFC Films [United States] Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Até Que a Morte os Separe

Filming Locations:

Barningham Hall, Norfolk, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,794, 4 August 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$44,978, 15 October 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Potboiler Productions, Blue Sky Films, EM Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debuts of brothers Harry Treadaway' and Luke Treadaway'.

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Quotes

Barry Howe: What are you writing about?
Laura Ashworth - 1970's: Well, you guys specifically.
Barry Howe: What about us?
Laura Ashworth - 1970's: Well, you know, you're kind of... you know, you're different. Young and exciting.
Barry Howe: Young, exciting, what else? Give me a- give me a third.
Laura Ashworth - 1970's: Listen, I'm actually writing an article about exploitation of the physically impaired.
Barry Howe: [long pause] Speak to Tubbs, he's got a dodgy ankle.

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Connections

References Women in Love (1969)

User Reviews

How freaky can a rock 'n' roll mockumentary get? Try Siamese-twins freaky!!!

There have been many self-destructive rock star movies over the years from "The Doors" to "Sid and Nancy," but what if said star was a 'twin' - a Siamese twin.

'Brothers of the Head' could more appropriately be titled 'Bros of the Chest' since that is where the twins are conjoined. As you would expect, one twin is docile and plays guitar while the other twin is more out-of-control but does manage to write some of the band's better songs.

The major problem with this movie is that the twins only produce three (maybe four) songs which leaves too much time for derivative rock star antics in between (re: drugs, alcohol, and groupies). Of course, the groupie thing gets a bit uncomfortable when only one brother 'scores' and the other bro is forced to watch from an all-too-intimate distance.

There's also the issue of identity as to which twin is in control as detailed in the song: 'Are you YOU or me?' Not to mention the film itself has its own multiple personality issues as it slides from insider documentary to Ken Russell adaptation (yes, the director is interviewed within the film). The Russell segments are few and far between and add very little commentary when they are injected between the pseudo-'documentary' segments (and yes, there is a film-within-the-film pseudo-docu director is interviewed too).

Overall, an extremely dark portrait of a freaks-gone-famous punk phenomenon that offers little solace for the audience and a scattershot approach to the mockumentary format that won't score points with genre fans.

Don't expect any laughs or a feel-good ending either, this is mockery at its most dour. Welcome to the dark side of mock 'n' roll.