SCREEN TIME
World of Difference HUMAN STORY MIRIAM BALANESCU MEETS GRAHAM FELLOWS, MUSICIAN AND COMEDIAN TURNED FILMMAKER – WHOSE NEXT TITLE, FATHER EARTH, ARRIVES IN CAMBRIDGE THIS MONTH
FROM SMALL TO BIG SCREEN, HERE ARE YOUR NOVEMBER ESSENTIALS
The story initially stemmed from Graham’s efforts in environmentalism, with the idea being to film himself driving a tiny electric car from London to Orkney. Bringing filmmaker David Kew and his dad along for the ride, Father Earth captures all the highs and lows of the following decade. The film gathers an assortment of miscellaneous footage, from Graham psyching himself up in front of the mirror pre-show to an appearance from Sooty and Sweep. “Most of it is totally accidental and unplanned. I was basically filming all the way,” Graham says. “I had so much material and just had to pull it together to form a narrative.” Sadly, Graham’s father became ill during the project. After his death in 2012, the documentary was put indefinitely on hold. “I couldn’t face going back to look at it, really,” recalls Graham. “Then, years later, someone said, ‘can I film you getting ready for a show and shoot the gig?’ As we were doing that, I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve been here before, talking to myself in the mirror. I should revisit the old footage and finish off the project.’ “I’ve got three sisters and they all love the fact that I’ve made this film, which is, if nothing else, a record of our dad.” Bridging the gap between documentary and fiction filmmaking, with Graham flitting between being himself and comic alter ego John Shuttleworth, Father Earth prioritises substance over style. “I like making things on the cheap, because in a way it makes you focus more on what you’re saying; the ideas are more important,” he explains. Though Father Earth does deal with some heavy themes, it’s light in its approach. “To make a film banging on, ‘Come on, everybody, let’s be more eco- friendly’ is not very interesting,” Graham insists. “People don’t want to be lectured. I thought making a film that touches on those subjects, but also a human story, would ultimately be more fruitful.”
ou may recognise the name Graham Fellows as the singer behind the satirical 1978 single Jilted John , or perhaps the
side-splitting comedy character John Shuttleworth, who has frequented national radio and television. However, you may be less familiar with Graham’s oeuvre as a filmmaker – especially now he’s turned to slightly more serious subject matters. The Sheffield native’s first two features, It’s Nice Up North and Southern Softies , probed the UK’s cultural divide, positing his theory that people are more pleasant the further you travel up the country. In his next, a project 12 years in the making, the gagster grapples with oncoming climate disaster, chronicling his renovation of a ramshackle Orkney Islands church which he bought in 2008. “It’s not the most dramatic film of all time – but it’s a gentle story,” muses Graham. “It’s meant to say something about families and our own selfish desires – we tend to put them before the more crucial imperatives such as saving the world. That’s the message ultimately; we think about our relationships before our relationship with the planet.”
THE MENU Gastronomy turns deadly in this simmering drama starring Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor- Joy and Nicholas Hoult – which takes the phrase ‘eat the rich’ quite literally. Where to Watch: Arts Picturehouse, Vue, Light Cinema When: 18 November
THE ENGLISH Marking Emily Blunt’s return to television, this powerful western sees her character seek vengeance for the death of her son. Where to Watch: BBC Two When: 11 November
CUTE CAMEOS Sooty and Sweep make an appearance in Graham Fellows’ semi-fictitious, documentary-style feature Father Earth
24 NOVEMBER 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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