THE LATE TWENTIETH

Year: 2003
UK: Timeless Pictures
Cast: John Webber, Justin Allder, Hannah Watkins, Sam Loggin, Camilla Heaney, Phil Campbell, Robin Hellier, Michael Eaves, Sarah Gayler, Tony Wadham
Director: Hadi Hajaig
UK: 79 mins
UK Certificate: 18 contains strong violence, language and drugs use
UK Release Date: 5 December 2003

Synopsis

The Man's girlfriend is murdered in a drug fuelled hold-up at an off licence, a murder which The Man could have easily prevented but due to his cowardice, didn't.

A year later we find The Man institutionalised for committing a violent assault on a drug dealer, he escapes only to witness the murder of a young girl. As he becomes increasingly obsessed with tracking down her killer we are led into a world of violence, obsession and deceit.

Filmed in and around London THE LATE TWENTIETH is an agile, stylish and intense independent British noir thriller.

What is THE LATE TWENTIETH?

The exact meaning of the title THE LATE TWENTIETH remains undisclosed, but it is definitely not a reference to the twentieth century.

Could the title refer to the twentieth week of term for Emma, The Man's girlfriend? There are hints that Emma is pregnant throughout the film: The conversation in the pub that develops into awkwardness when Emma asks The Man what he thinks their children would look like. The speed with which Emma extinguishes her cigarette when she is reprimanded by The Man. The way she makes him touch her stomach tenderly.

When asked for an explanation of the title's meaning the director Hadi Hajaig replies, "I don't really like explaining the meaning of a film, it's for the audience to ponder the question themselves. Whatever solution they come up with is fine with me, but there is a definite reason for the title and its not as obscure as one might think".