Dysfunction and struggle while keeping up with modern life on top of increasing activity on social media is an all too familiar tale.
New gay-themed film Celluloid is a psychological-drama featuring such problems, filmed and situated in Manchester.
The Lloyd Eyre-Morgan directed film stars former Eastenders and Shameless actor Jody Latham, playing a local bad boy – a role Latham should be accustomed to portraying considering his other roles.
According to Lloyd however, he was great to work with, telling MM: “He actually felt really passionate about the project and came on board as executive producer and really helped out with the whole production.”
Growing up gay in Manchester, director Lloyd channelled aspects of his own life into the film: “The character Josh is based on me. I used to escape through filming a lot growing up and that storyline is featured heavily in the film.
“My mum also had a breakdown during my childhood so that part is also heavily featured. I’ve fictionalised why she’s having the breakdown to take it away from the reality at the time, but it mirrors my life pretty heavily.”
The story follows teenagers Josh and Nicola as they struggle with their mum’s increasing mental instability as she copes with her past. The two teens also have to manage with their sexuality. Josh seeks solace in gay social media and blogging all while Nicola resorts to darker methods of escape on the local estate.
Lloyd believes it can sometimes be hard directing an LGBT themed film: “I think it is a challenge to get the balance right. There’s a lot of backlash on LGBT cinema from gay audiences – it’s really hard to please the wide spectrum. I’ve tried to be as honest with it as possible and I really hope that comes across in the film.”
With a budget of just £3000 Celluloid premiered at the Cinema Diverse Palm Springs Film Festival earlier this year, having been selected from two-thousand films as part of a fifteen film line up.
The film is highlighted by its Mancunian emphasis with Lloyd utilising the many talents the city has to offer: “We used Manchester actors, locations and full Manchester based crew. I think if anything, it shows the great independent arts vibe of Manchester.
“I have a lot of Manchester references of places in the film and also dialect – it’s northern through and through.”
That isn’t it for Lloyd however as his upcoming film entitled 3 In A Bed intends to employ the same Mancunian methods: “3 In A Bed is a lot lighter than Celluloid and a lot of fun. It was co-written with new writer Neil Ely – Jody Latham’s also come on board and took a producer role as well.
“It is a northern gay rom-com and it’s very Mancunian. We have a lot of indie-music in the film and really focussed on the indie-music scene in Manchester. Fingers crossed it should be out this summer.”
Celluloid is available to buy now from Amazon via TLA Releasing.
Image courtesy of TLA Releasing via YouTube, with thanks.
