Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

Vera Drake is a selfless woman, completely devoted to and loved by her family. However, moonlighting from her job as a cleaner she also secretly performs abortions for young women, a practice illegal in 50s Britain.

Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. But when the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel.

Staunton's Oscar calibre performance anchors this typically absorbing, detailed and devastating Mike Leigh film as the master English filmmaker departs from a contemporary setting for only the second time since 1999's Topsy Turvy.

Golden Lion, Venice IFF, 2004
Best Actress, Imelda Staunton, Venice IFF