Raindance Film Club-18 February 09-Zebra Crossings

This month Raindance brings you a free screening of Zebra Crossings. Zebra Crossings premiered in last years Raindance Film Festival and also won an award at the 2008 BIFAs.

Set amongst the towering, concrete-clad estates of south London ‘Zebra Crossings’ blends a mixture of characters that all share onething in common: The incredible loneliness of living alongside 7 million other people.

 ‘Hard-hitting’ would be an appropriate phrase to describe this tale of four south London lads from writer and director Sam Holland. Not only because their lives are depicted completely without compromise but also because these boys solve most problems with their fists. They are the children ofthe council estates, urban thugs with little chance of release from the concrete coliseum that surrounds them.

 Fuelled by anger and a hatred of the society that made them,their lives are characterized by petty crime and violent retribution meted outaccording to their own bigoted rules. Having long stopped hoping for tomorrowthey live for the moment, relying on the transient pleasures of drugs andloveless sex.

 The gang’s leader Tommy, blinded by his own arrogance andhaving recently taken possession of a gun, threatens to take his friends intoeven more dangerous territory. Meanwhile, Justin is the only one of the fourwho dares to yearn for something more spiritual. Such aspirations threaten todrive a wedge between him and Tommy leading to a shocking conclusion.

The feature, shot for under £1 million and with brilliantlyrealistic performances shows that despite their violent lifestyle, everyonedeserves a shot at redemption. ‘Zebra Crossings’ is a telling document of ourtimes and certainly marks Holland as a talent to watch.

 The director and producer will be available after the screening for a short Q & A.

 Venue: The Horse Hospital, Colonnade, Bloomsbury (behind Russell Square tube station) WC1N 1HX

Doors open at 19H00, entrance is free!