The Selfish Giant
The worst thing about film press is that you have to balances movies that you are sent to see against films that you want to see. Most of the time, you can succeed and the momentum of movies that comes out appeases you greatly. Sometimes, like recently, you start to lose control and there have been a collection of movie releases just falls under your radar, out of your time and you’re sat months later, watching it on a tiny television screen like “shit, I should have watched this in the cinema.” For me that pang of regret came from finally getting my hands stuck into BAFTA nominated The Selfish Giant. On the other hand, I’m glad to keep my tears to myself.
The Selfish Giant is one of those films that again brings the impoverished areas of Northern England to light. This time, it’s Bradford. Focusing on two youths, Arbor and Swifty, spend their days in the poorest district of their town. During their free time, they steal cable illegally for a scrap merchant named Kitten, making a decent pay for themselves and their family. However, when they are expelled, they take the job full time as well as learning about horse drag racing and more. But as they get further into it, they find it gets more serious and dangerous.
There was every chance that this movie could become an insipid and heavily thick bleak film that mirrors Mike Leigh and Shane Meadows. That’s not to say the movie isn’t filled with dark dank despair as our leads trudge through poverty and rage. What is delicately done is a story and direction that sensitively leads the struggle into a captivating film. The narrative and despair is balanced with the poetic and naïve nature of our young characters enthrals you through their activities as criminal as they may be. Which, in turn, makes the finale hit you with a greater impact and strips you away like a Grimm fairy-tale.
At the core is some of the strongest performances in a British drama. The young Connor Chapman and Shaun Thomas, who are polarized friends in every way, have this enthusing chemistry that draws you into the film. Chapman as Arbor is intense, ranging from verbose anger to cheekiness as he emulates adults around him, the every ones who have failed him. Thomas as Swifty is tender but bullied with a sweet nature that draws him to Arbor, able to tend to his friends ADHD whilst still coming into fruition with his care for animals. This unlikely connection is acted so talentedly and resilient gifts this film with a tone of realism. That mists over this impressive cinematic fare.
Director and writer Clio Barnard makes a very astute and evocative film. It’s an austere setting and very much an indictment to how the system lets people down. Though it weaves this anti-benefit unemployment sentiment with the stark influence adults can have on children, as well as the juvenile fun kids genuinely find in delinquency, and The Selfish Giant becomes this perfect balance of themes. With it’s both heart-wrenching and eloquent, bleak and beautiful. Barnard has made an impeccable and visceral film that touches your soul in marvellous ways.