Special People

Time Out says
The old authors’ axiom ‘write what you know’ also applies to cinema, which is why movies about young filmmakers struggling to realise their vision are ten a penny. Debut director Justin Edgar revisits all the clichés: the bolshy, inexperienced crew, the haemorraging budget, the inevitable on-set accident. The difference is that the filmmakers are physically disabled.
‘Special People’ follows pretentious, self-absorbed director-turned-special- needs educator Jasper (Dominic Coleman) as he tries to enthuse his class of wheelchair users about cinema. Edgar and Coleman’s script nails the creative paralysis and self-delusion that afflicts many failed artists, and the patronising, self-aggrandising way they relate to those ‘worse off’. In terms of character development and story the film is unspectacular and often rather blunt – one final-act twist feels shoehorned in to shock. But this is a well observed and likeable slice of DIY cinema.
‘Special People’ follows pretentious, self-absorbed director-turned-special- needs educator Jasper (Dominic Coleman) as he tries to enthuse his class of wheelchair users about cinema. Edgar and Coleman’s script nails the creative paralysis and self-delusion that afflicts many failed artists, and the patronising, self-aggrandising way they relate to those ‘worse off’. In terms of character development and story the film is unspectacular and often rather blunt – one final-act twist feels shoehorned in to shock. But this is a well observed and likeable slice of DIY cinema.
Details
Release details
Rated:
12A
Release date:
Friday November 21 2008
Duration:
81 mins
Cast and crew
Director:
Justin Edgar
Cast:
Dominic Coleman
Robyn Frampton
Sasha Hardway
Robyn Frampton
Sasha Hardway