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9780747559153

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The author, a maker of documentaries, begins work on a film to follow four young, inexperienced film-makers in their quest for fame and international recognition at the Cannes film festival. The book is a rollicking account of endless trips, meetings and attempts to interest recognized film-makers and raise money for their various ventures. Walker has a keen eye for the absurd and meets some incredible characters, particularly Stephen, a London cabbie, who with his friends Gordon and Spooky sets off in a clapped-out old van with no clear idea of how to get to Cannes. Once there, they go all out to buttonhole people and deliver the pitch for their film, Amsterdam. Also among the cast of characters are Mike, a Rastafarian whose film bombs, and James Merendino, a film-maker in the Tarantino mould. Walker describes the frustrations of film-making, the pain of rejection, the hard work and the toll that it takes on everyones health, but also the elation of Merendino when he meets with success. Entertaining asides are supplied by Walker's 96-year-old Auntie Becky, whose telephone conversations from her nursing home put the film world in perspective - she describes one recent film as Four Thingies and a Thingie with Cary Grant. This is a lively, funny book, fairly ephemeral in places, but some extracts will make you laugh out loud. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Stephen Walker spent ten years at the BBC, first as a researcher then as a director. He directed PRISONERS IN TIME, a drama starring John Hurt. He lives in London.

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