A Northern Soul

Nach seinem Dokumentarfilm A Syrian Love Story kehrt Sean McAllister zurück in seine Heimatstadt Hull in Yorkshire, um dort die Eröffnungszeremonie für das Europäische Kulturhauptstadtjahr 2017 zu inszenieren. Während er daheim bei seinen neunzigjährigen Eltern lebt, reflektiert McAllister die Veränderungen dieser Stadt, die von harten Sparmaßnahmen betroffen und vom Brexit geteilt ist, und in der eines von drei Kindern in Armut lebt. Am Stadtrand trifft McAllister auf Steve Arnott, und beginnt ihn zu filmen: Tagsüber schuftet Steve in einem Lagerhaus, abends tritt er als Hip-Hop-Performer auf, und hegt einen eigenen kreativen Traum. (Sheffield Doc/Fest)

Filmmaker Sean McAllister returns to home ground for A Northern Soul, having been appointed creative director of the opening ceremony marking his native Hull’s term as 2017 European City of Culture. After years of austerity and a divisive Brexit vote, might this be the moment to turn the place around after decades of neglect? In warehouse worker Steve Arnott, McAllister finds a kindred soul: here’s someone who wants to transform his fortunes – and help others do the same – through the liberating power of hip-hop, but is faced with the suffocating pressures of exactly what it means to be among the UK’s many working poor. (Sight&Sound, Trevor Johnston)

Director's Biography
Sean McAllister
After leaving school at 16 Sean McAllister worked in a series of low-paid factory jobs in his hometown of Hull before finding a camera and filming his way into the National Film and Television School, graduating in 1996. Since then he has made films, working in the UK and internationally. His candid, frank films depict with extraordinary intimacy the lives of ordinary people.

Film Selection: A Northern Soul (2018, doc) - A Syrian Love Story (2015, doc) - The Reluctant Revolutionary (2012, doc) - Japan: A Story of Love and Hate (2008, doc) - The Liberace of Baghdad (2005, doc)
European Panorama Documentary 2019
Sean McAllister
Großbritannien 2018
color
73 Minuten
Englisch
OmeU / OF
Kamera Sean McAllister
Schnitt Johnny Burke
Musik Terence Dunn
Mit Steve Arnott, Sean McAllister and his parents
Produzent*innen Sean McAllister, Elhum Shakerifar
Produktion
10ft Films Ltd
Weltvertrieb
10ft Films Ltd
Österreichpremiere
Weltpremiere
Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018
Weltpremiere / World Premiere
Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018

Premierenstatus / Premiere Status
Austrian Premiere