First Cut returns with a host of fresh new directing talent

19 May 2011

The Only Gay on the Estate

Channel 4's Documentaries department has commissioned a further 10 x 30 minute First Cut films to air in peak time from mid June.  The Strand Editor is Aysha Rafaele.

First Cut launched in November 2007 as an eclectic documentary strand to showcase distinctive new films by up and coming directors. The strand is part of the channel's commitment to nurturing new film making talent.

Aysha Rafaele said: ‘First Cut continues to be one of the few spaces on prime time TV where singular and distinctive new documentary voices can be heard. I am proud of the variety of talent on display in this upcoming run featuring quirky, dark and news related access films.'

Films for the summer 2011 run will include: The Max Mosley Story (Production Co: David Modell Productions, Prod/Dir: Jenny Evans, Exec Prod: David Modell). This film profiles Max Mosley, former President of Formula One, son of fascist Oswald Mosley and well known by the public as the man who featured in that News of the World story.  In 2008, The News of the World accused Mosley of participating in a ‘Nazi Orgy'.  Since then, he's fought back, successfully suing The News of the World for breach of privacy following the exposé. More recently, Mosley has attempted to harness the power of European law, to force British newspapers to operate under new restrictions - a battle he lost, but has vowed will continue. Jenny Evans, spent one summer with Mosley; documenting his extravagant lifestyle, his views on politics, his family and morality and following his campaign against the press as he took it to the European Court of Human Rights.

Double Lesson (Production Co: Ruby Film and Television, Writer/Dir: George Kay: Prod: Faye Ward). This is the story of David De Gale, a secondary school teacher who, one Monday afternoon, attacks a pupil in his class. George Kay's film is a half-hour monologue performed straight to camera by actor Phil Davis (Vera Drake, High Hopes, Whitechapel). The film sets out neither to condemn nor condone David's actions, but to provide better understanding of how and why some teachers lose control and considers how they are treated if they do. Though based on accounts of real cases, the film is entirely scripted, and David is a fictional character.

Superheroes (w/t) (Production co: Ronachan Films, Prod/Director: Christian Watt, Exec Prod: Zac Beattie). Across Britain a small and secretive band of people are donning comic book style costumes and taking to the streets to fight crime. Superheroes (w/t) tracks down a number of these self-proclaimed ‘superheroes' and looks underneath the disguise, to find out the truth about the person behind the mask.  The film asks whether these people are simply bedroom fantasists, local heroes or real life vigilantes, filming both their home and ‘crime fighting' lives, in order to uncover what these ‘superheroes' are really up to and why. Christian Watt's film looks at the everyday challenges of being a real life British ‘superhero' and considers what these ‘heroes' tell us about modern Britain and the modern British man.

Sex, Lies and Parkinsons (Production Co: Films of Record, Prod/Dir: Oliver Cheetham, Prod: James Rogan, Exec Prod: Roger Graef). On Valentine's Day in 2007, paediatric nurse and mother of two, Vicki was diagnosed with Young-onset Parkinson's.  Oliver Cheetham's film follows Vicki as she attempts to come to terms with her condition and what it means for her future.  Battling the debilitating effects of a progressive neuro-degenerative disease is hard for Vicki, but she also has to contend with the compulsive behaviour brought on by the medication. Side effects include an overwhelming desire for sex, shopping and an addiction to the internet, all of which threaten to destroy her relationship with long term partner Ken. Add in the drinking and partying every weekend, and it's easy to see why Vicki's family life is suffering while her relationship with Ken teeters on the brink.   This year Vicki turns 40; she wants to turn her life around and face her illness head on.

Ferrets (Production Co: The Garden Productions, Prod/Dir: Becky Lomax, Exec Prod: Jonathan Smith). Becky Lomax's film explores the fascinating world of ferret enthusiasts.  Many people perceive ferrets to be smelly vicious animals, but not Kelly and Maria.  For Kelly, ferrets are more to her than just pets; they are her best friends, therapy and a lifeline.  They have been there for Kelly during the emotional ups and downs of her gender reassignment surgery and have helped her cope with the post traumatic stress she suffers as a result of serving in the Falklands as a young man.  To repay the ferrets, Kelly is dedicating her life to helping these outsiders of the animal world.  Kelly and Maria run 2nd Chance Ferret Rescue in Bristol, and this film joins them at one of their busiest times - ferret show season.

Double Murder (w/t) (Production Co: DoubleBand Films, Dir: Judy Kelly, Exec Prod: Michael Hewitt, Prod: Jane Magowan). Judy Kelly's film follows the tragic story of Trevor Buchanan and Lesley Howell who died in 1991.  Their deaths were initially believed to be a double suicide, after the pair discovered their respective partners were having an affair.  However, in 2009, 18 years after the couple died, Lesley Howell's husband, Colin, came forward claiming that he had committed their murder, along with the help of his former lover Hazel Stewart.  Howell was convicted of the double murder late last year and Hazel Stewart denied murder but was convicted this year.  This film follows the story of this double murder, the court case and will feature first person interviews with Hazel Stewart's family.

Mans Get Mobbed By Gal (Production co: Warp Films, Director: Afi Khan, Prod.: Libby Durdy). This observational documentary was filmed over a three-month period, following the lives of two Asian rappers, Metz and Trix, from the North of England. Totally immersed in and impassioned by the allure of a celebrity lifestyle, these two are hungry for fame and fortune.  Without a record deal, they've played almost 1,000 gigs in 15 countries to audiences ranging from a modest 30 to a whopping 100,000 people.  Afi Khan's film follows the two rappers as they try to balance a normal working life in retail, with the crazy world of rock n' roll and everything that goes with it; from over inflated egos and crazed groupies to a life on the road.

The Only Gay on the Estate (Production Co: Ronachan Films Ltd, Prod/Dir: Michael Ogden, Exec Prod: Helen Littleboy). This film follows director, Michael Ogden, as he makes a highly personal journey back to his roots in Wythenshawe, Manchester exploring his past as a closeted gay teenager in the 90s. Michael lived in a neighbourhood where being gay was far from accepted.  To deal with his predicament, he lived a double life; to the outside world he was a straight, teenage boy playing football with the lads and going out with local girls whilst secretly lusting over Ryan Giggs posters and getting intimate with boys on the estate.  16 years later Michael has decided to retrace his past.  The Only Gay on the Estate provides an intimate look into Michael's journey as he quickly discovers that he not only needs to confront his past, but his present.