I Know You Know (2009)

Set in South Wales in 1989, I Know You Know tells the story of single parent father Charlie Callaghan (Robert Carlyle) and his eleven-year-old son Jamie (newcomer Arron Fuller). Written and directed by Human Traffic's Justin Kerrigan, what is remarkable about this film is that it is actually an autobiographical narrative based on his own upbringing.

The film starts with Charlie and Jamie's return to Wales. Though their hometown is familiar and they have elderly relations nearby, it's clearly a step down from what they are used to, and Jamie doesn't want to go to the local secondary school, but he knows he must grin and bear it - and even the bully who taunts him on a daily basis - because his father has an important job to do there. This job sees him embroiled in covert activities, seemingly against the new satellite TV company that is being rolled out nationwide, and the payday he promises will be big. However, it appears that there are people in town who want to stop Charlie from concluding his espionage mission; they follow his every move and he is so fearful for his life that he goes everywhere armed with a gun. As Jamie discovers the extent of his father's secret existence, he pledges to be utterly supportive of him - but is the real truth of Charlie's existence more dangerous for each if them than the boy could ever imagine?

Being autobiographical, Kerrigan's film is clearly a real labour of love, and one that took several years to get off the ground. Its final realisation may be hampered by a small budget more at home to a one off TV drama than an actual feature film, but the beating heart at the centre of the narrative more than makes up for any shortcomings. Combined with impressive performances from Carlyle and the young Fuller in his film debut, I Know You Know is an emotional, heartstring-tugging ode to the bonds between father and son. It's a film you can't really talk about too much without giving the plot away, so I'll just say watch it if you can.

Human Traffic : Remixed (2002)

I've seen Human Traffic before, shortly after its release (so, many moons ago) in fact, but this is actually my first watch of this 'remix'. This version is - I believe -  essentially producer Allan Niblo's cut of the film following a fall out during the film's making with his writer/director protege Justin Kerrigan.

Too long since the original watch to spot any differences I'm afraid.

But, man is this film ever a time capsule! I know people who lived like this. Shit, I kind of lived like this too and I have to tell you it's damn strange to see it now simply as an observer. 

The themes of alienation and having to deal with unemployment or just plain shit employment, living for the weekend when you're in your twenties are palpably real and well created with a suitably anarchic breaking the fourth wall style interposed between the kinetic bombast of images and tunes from the chemical and clubbing culture.

I love the scenes of the alternative national anthem, ranting over pints about shit boy bands, the piece to camera about pill paranoia, the scene where John Simm and Andrew Lincoln (This Life, Afterlife) say to one another what they really think, Nicola Reynolds (later to appear in Ideal) doorstep press conference about joining the two million unemployed and 'looking forward to getting into some hardcore Richard and Judy', Howard Marks' 'spliff politics' cameo, Danny Dyer and Coupling's Richard Coyle's 'Star Wars is a drug film' talk and the overall believability of the group on screen. It really is great casting.

Essentially this is how we used to live circa the end of the 20th Century/start of the 21st. Christ, when did we get so sodding old?!

PS Danny Dyer was an irritating soppy cunt even back then. But at least he was playing one here.

PPS beyond the 90s fashions, Lorraine Pilkington was gorgeous...and clearly talented too