Dustbin Baby (2008)

The film follows the story of young teen April whose troubled life began in a dustbin - a new born baby, abandoned and alone, not celebrated, not wanted but discarded and left like so much ... See full summary »

Director:

Juliet May

Writers:

Helen Blakeman (screenplay), Jacqueline Wilson (novel)

Stars:

Dakota Blue Richards, Juliet Stevenson, Saffron Coomber

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dakota Blue Richards	...	April
Juliet Stevenson	...	Marion
Saffron Coomber	...	Cathy
Poppy Lee Friar	...	Hannah
George Bustin	...	Baby April
Jenna Boyd	...	Sandra
David Haig	...	Elliot
Marika McKennell	...	Tanya
Di Botcher	...	Pat Williams
Lucy Hutchinson	...	Little April
Ian Kelsey	...	Daniel Johnson
Carol Starks	...	Janet Johnson
Jane McDowell	...	Mrs. Stephenson
Simon Roberts	...	Mr. Stephenson
Joanna Dunn	...	PC Brown

Storyline

The film follows the story of young teen April whose troubled life began in a dustbin - a new born baby, abandoned and alone, not celebrated, not wanted but discarded and left like so much rubbish in an industrial bin behind a pizza parlour. On the morning of her fourteenth birthday April has a devastating row with her foster mother, Marion and leaves the house determined to find out where she really comes from, who she really is and maybe, just maybe, find her real mother. Telling no-one what she's up to or where she's going, April skips school and begins the search she's dreamed about all her life. It's a blur of social workers, children's homes and special schools as April revisits and recalls the key scenes of her fragmented past. It's a painful journey, sometimes frightening but there's also friendship and love and laughter. And now she's started, there's no going back - April must find her mother.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | family relationships | adoption | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

Abandonada en la basura

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kindle Entertainment

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Live from Studio Five: Episode #1.54 (2009)

User Reviews

Absolutely AMAZING!!!

When I received a replying letter from Jackie herself, it mentioned there was going to be a drama of Dustbin Baby, so I read the book before watching this. I flew through the book, it was really riveting and with the drama I was equally impressed. Jacqueline Wilson says it was the best adaptation of her work.

When I first heard about a character, Elliot, who was not in the book, I was a bit disappointed, but David Haig portrays Elliot brilliantly. Some of the novel was missed out, which was disappointing, but overall the drama was excellent.

Dakota Blue Richards plays April well and so does the young actress playing Young April. If you haven't read the book, READ IT. It has some extra bits in it. Still, the drama is great, great, great.

It's brilliant that the DVD will be released on 12th January.