Keswick Film Festival

Synopsis

Our affection for Shane Meadows' films goes on unabated: Somers Town tackles various themes, but the most engaging to watch is the growing friendship between two very contrasted boys: Tommo (Thomas Turgoose, Shaun in This Is England) believes himself to be a tough guy, whereas the Polish immigrant Marek (Piotr Jagiello) is more sensitive. Their relationship is richly funny and touching, as they compete for the affections of Maria, the French girl from the café who is always just out of reach. Little wonder that Turgoose and Jagiello each received the jury award for Best Actor at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, where they had audiences in stitches. The soundtrack too is simply a perfect match, its songs seeming tailor-made for the narrative.

Edinburgh's Michael Powell Award jury said the film was "the freshest, most imaginative maverick work, deserving of the award."