Una (2016)

A woman confronts an older man, her former neighbour, to find out why he abandoned her after they had a sexual relationship.

Director:

Benedict Andrews

Writer:

David Harrower (based on his play "Blackbird")

Stars:

Ruby Stokes, Rooney Mara, David Shields

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ruby Stokes	...	Young Una
Rooney Mara	...	Una
David Shields	...	Man in Nightclub
Ben Mendelsohn	...	Ray
Tara Fitzgerald	...	Andrea
Madeleine Brolly	...	Courtroom Clerk
Richard Cunningham	...	Prosecutor
Gary Finnerty	...	Truck Driver
Riz Ahmed	...	Scott
Maciej Krupianik	...	Foreman
Mandy Surridge	...	Picnic Mum
Xanthe Gibson	...	Leah
Ciarán McMenamin	...	John
Katie Money	...	Gemma
Poppy Corby-Tuech	...	Poppy

Storyline

When a young woman unexpectedly arrives at her much-older former lover's workplace, looking for answers, the secrets of their dark past threaten to unravel his new life. What follows is an emotional and unflinching excavation of inappropriate love, with shattering consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

sex scene | topless female nudity | based on play | pedophilia | one word title | 

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Taglines:

How do you forget the past, when it won't forget you.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language

Details

Country:

UK Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 2017 (UK)

Also Known As:

Blackbird

Filming Locations:

Camberley, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BRON Studios,Creative Wealth Media Finance,Film4

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The nipple ring on display in the shower scene is apparently Rooney Mara's own, having had it done for the film ' The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'

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Quotes

Una: I don't know anything about you except you abused me.

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Soundtracks

Eating Glue
Performed by Paranoid London

User Reviews

Remarkable translation of a play to screen

After this film was screened at the Toronto Film Festival today, an audience member asked director Andrews about the skill of lead actor Mendelsohn in his portrayal of such a deceitful and manipulative character. The host repeated the question without the adjectives but fortunately the question was answered as it was asked. Mr. Andrews noted that many audience members didn't see the "Ray" character in that fashion at all.

Indeed this ambiguity and its affect on Una is at the heart of this film as well as the play Blackbird upon which it is based. I generally am not happy when plays are translated into films but I found this adaptation to be quite the exception. The camera was able to extend the scope of the play to include scenes from the crucial events which occurred 15 years before the main confrontation which occupies most of the film.

A brilliant first film from director Andrews which will hopefully reach the wide audience it deserves.