Ending a hiatus from theatrical fiction features that’s lasted 16 years, leading UK filmmaker Shane Meadows has wrapped production on Chork, a “runaway road trip” movie led by young adolescents that was shot under the radar on location this summer. Prolific dramatist Jack Thorne (whose one-shot marvel Adolescence has been one of this year’s key releases) co-wrote the screenplay, continuing a collaboration that began with his most celebrated film, This Is England [+lee también:
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ficha de la película], continuing on to its television sequels and the acclaimed drama The Virtues. Its lead producers are UK companies 42 and Unified Productions, with financing coming from BBC Film and the BFI Film Fund. Domestic distribution has already been confirmed with Altitude Filmed Entertainment.

Much of the Coventry-born director’s best work has had a vibrant, youth-driven focus, and this looks to be maintained through Chork’s plot description. Fifteen-year-old Kit and 11-year-old Ani decide to leave their foster home and trek across the coastline in hopes of a brighter future. With the police in pursuit and a national search under way, Kit must use all of her determination and wits to protect Ani and fulfil their mission.

“To be returning to film after 17 years, writing alongside ‘megadude’ Jack Thorne again and working with so many gifted collaborators has been an absolute privilege,” goes a spirited statement from Meadows. “Our story follows two beyond-bright, funny-as-heck and mischievously ingenious young people on a ‘runaway’ road trip the length of this glorious isle. It’s safe to say I’m beyond excited about what we’ve captured on their journey. I’m also hugely grateful to our partners for their undying trust and support throughout.” The BFI’s senior production and development executive, Louise Ortega, calls it a “typically funny, urgent and heartfelt state-of-the-nation piece, […] weaving irreverent magic and asking timely questions. We can’t wait for their film to be out in the world, inspiring a new generation.”

Ben Pugh and Cathy King are producing for 42, alongside Lauren Dark and Amy Jackson for Unified. Big Arty Productions and One Shoe Films – respectively Meadows’ and Thorne’s production houses – executive-produce. In addition to BBC Film and the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), further financing comes from Screen Yorkshire and Hoopsa Films.

Following its 2006 premiere, This Is England enjoyed broad international acclaim, concluding with a BAFTA for Best British Film. A look at Thatcher-era race relations in the West Midlands, made as the far right was gaining ascendency again in the UK, it helped launch the career of Stephen Graham, now undoubtedly one of the country’s finest actors. Other noteworthy films of Meadows’ include the dark thriller Dead Man’s Shoes and the coming-of-ager A Room for Romeo Brass, with the eccentrically titled Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] his last to be released in 2009. Still, Meadows hasn’t been associated with the European festival circuit quite like his generational peers.

As for what “Chork” could mean, it’s a Scots term for a “squelching sound, especially due to waterlogged footwear”, and also phonetically evokes the chalk cliffs on Britain’s south coast, given the film’s coastal locations. But we’ll find out next year.