THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS
Year: 2006
UK: Tartan Films
Cast: David Leon, Sam MacLintock, Bronson Webb, Daon Broni, Emma Pierson, James Cosmo, Gillian Kearney, Marc Warren, James Holmes, James Cook, Jude Cook, Paddy Fletcher, Stella Quilley, Raj Ghatak, Renu Senta, Geoff Plews, Joe Jacobs, Jimmy Roussounis, Rich Hall, Peter Rnic
Directors: Rankin, Chris Cottam
Country: UK
UK: 101 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language, violence and sex references
UK Release Date: 9 February 2007 (Limited Release - wider)
UK Release Date: 26 January 2007 (Limited Release - London, ICA)
Synopsis
THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS is a dark morality tale whereby fantastical events take place in the ordinary surroundings of modern-day London.
The story unfolds in the cafes, clubs and shops of Green Lanes where Mr Karva (James Cosmo) is the boss; a ridiculous yet dangerous man who is known and feared by all. Othello (David Leon), his stepson, is the young pretender, palling around with his girlfriend Tina (Emma Pierson) and his weak-willed lackey Emilio (Bronson Webb). Life revolves around socialising, gambling and trying to scrape together a modest living.
But that lifestyle is about to be thrown into disarray by an otherworldly, sickly-looking 10 year-old child (Sam MacLintock). Mr Karva's errand boy, Roadrunner (Daon Broni), stumbles across this child in the park and offloads his bizarre find in Othello's basement.
Thus begins an exhilaratingly strange series of events. It seems that the child is able to grant others their innermost desires. Mute, intense, all he has to do is look into your eyes and everything you ever wanted will come true... Soon Othello's dreams of limitless wealth become a reality. And true to form, his tyrannical stepfather wants to muscle in on the action.
Mr Karva watches with mounting frustration as all around him get their own taste of heaven. It is paradise on the streets of north London, but family ties and relationships are becoming increasingly strained and as Mr Karva himself says, "Every paradise has got its serpent." He persuades the unstable Emilio to take the matter into his own hands and a battle for possession of the child ensues.
What unfolds is a disastrous descent into loss and despair as the tale plummets towards its tragic conclusion.
THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS is a truly original modern-day fable, which warns that what we wish for is not always what we need...
Based on an original screenplay by Tony Grisoni (BROTHERS OF THE HEAD, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS), THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS is photographer and publisher Rankin and co-director Chris Cottam's debut feature film. The film is produced by Laura Hastings-Smith for Dazed Film & TV and is executive produced by Augusto Romano, Managing Director of Italian fashion brand Meltin' Pot.
Shot entirely on location in London's vibrant and multi-cultural Green Lanes, THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS stars up and coming British talent David Leon (THESE FOOLISH THINGS), Emma Pierson (THE BRIEF), Bronson Webb (HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN) and Daon Broni (TEACHERS) alongside established actors Marc Warren (BAND OF BROTHERS, HUSTLE) and James Cosmo (TRAINSPOTTING).
