There’s nothing funny about terrorism or terrorists, unless you’re watching director Christopher Morris’ satire Four Lions.
There’s nothing funny about terrorism or terrorists, unless you’re watching director Christopher Morris’ satire Four Lions.
People are still talking about this film, which isn’t surprising as it was one of the funniest films of 2010. Morris won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for what is a sharply written farce about a group of British jihadists who train for and commit an act of terror in the UK.
They’re an ignorant, accident prone and clueless bunch without a clear ideology or realistic chance of pulling off their far fetched plan. While it’s hilarious watching them give it a go, it’s the air of humanity Morris manages to convey that stays with you, in particular in the third act of this black comedy when he throws in shocking and tragic twists to remind us of the devastating consequences of terrorism.
Four Lions has a real British sense of humour which has been appreciated in the United States as much as it has been in the UK. As you’d expect there are many on both sides of the Atlantic who will never find this subject matter funny, and that’s understandable, but if there was ever a film that proved it‘s possible to face your fears through comedy then this is it.
Credit must be given to the talented collection of screenwriters behind this script. Christopher Morris, who’s CV includes writing credits on British comedies such as The Old Guys and Peep Show, is joined by his co-writers from those shows, a classy collection which includes Jesse Armstrong (In the Loop), Sam Bain (Smack the Pony), and Simon Blackwell (The Kumars at No. 42 and in the Loop).
Four Lions kicks the week off in our British Theatre slot, Monday 28th November at 8.30pm, and I can’t recommend it enough.
I’d also like to highlight another debut feature film screening this week, the character driven French film The Hedgehog (Tuesday 29th November, 8.30pm), based on the novel by Muriel Barbery and directed by Mona Achache. It’s an unusual but beguiling film set in a Parisian apartment building where Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic), a serious, articulate and suicide obsessed 11-year-old girl finds an unlikely friend in the building’s janitor Renée (Josiane Balasko).
Renee’s an intriguing character, a hardworking labourer who hides her love of literature and culture from those around her. It’s not until the observant and elegant Japanese widower Mr. Ozu moves into the building as a tenant and befriends Renee that she feels comfortable revealing her true self.
The Hedgehog is a charming and gentle, if somewhat morbid, love story that’s both easy to sink into and full of surprises.
Enjoy.
Watch the trailers and see the screening information for 'Four Lions' here, and for 'The Hedgehog' here.