bridport film notes

Never Let Me Go 1 5

Born 8 November 1954 in Nagasaki Japan,

Kauzo Ishiguro retains vivid recollections of

his childhood years, before relocating with

his family to Guilford, Surrey, England in

1960. Ishiguro read English and Philosophy

at the University of Kent, before acting as

a social worker in London. Writing fiction

in his free time, he went on to complete a

Post Graduate Degree in Creative Writing at

the University of East Anglia. His first novel

A Pale View of the Hills (1982) cemented

his reputation as a writer, earning awards

and huge recognition. Ishiguro wrote five

subsequent novels, including his most recent

Never Let Me Go (2005).

On the surface Never Let Me Go is a story of

love and friendship set in Hailsham boarding

school, but all is not what it seems. The story

centres on three pupils Kathy, Ruth and

Tommy and their growing feelings for each

other. Narrated by Kathy, we see through her

eyes how the pupils are well looked after but

live under virtual house arrest. They are all

told they are special and that maintaining

good health is paramount. It slowly emerges

the real reason for their presence in

Hailsham.

Kathy now a grown woman looks back over

their years and recalls how the three of them

begin to realise the truth. A very unusual and

gripping tale.

A recognised British novelist and screenplay

writer, Garland came to fame in 1996 with his

first novel The Beach. A classic story drawing

on his experiences from backpacking around

the world. Gaining interest of now iconic

producer and director Danny Boyle, The

Beach was transformed to the big screen

starring Leonardo DiCaprio. As well as writing

other successful novels, Garland continued

his partnership with Boyle penning several

of his famous titles, including 28 Days Later,

Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later where he also

served as executive producer.

Never Let Me Go is Garlands first

independent adaptation away from Boyles

influence.

Directed by Mark Romanek, Never let

me go is a stylish and visually appealing

British drama, holding an unexpected

and captivating science fiction twist.

Staying true to the novel adaptor Alex

Garland has effectively scripted the story

through narrator Kathy’s eyes. This allows

the audience to delve into a world where

perspective on life is very different. The

strong cast led by Carey Mulligan effortlessly

captures the mood of the story. From their

early formative years we follow Kathy, Ruth

and Tommy as their relationships blossom

and we observe their compliant behavior as

they come to terms with their unchangeable

fate. The film examines the principal that

human beings are willing to put up with a lot

and this moral tale takes this idea to a new

extreme.

Author Novel Adaptation Film

USA | 1993 | 134 minutes Director: Mark Romanek Screenplay: Alex Garland

Starring: Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightly

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The Saddest Music in the World1 5

Born 8 November 1954 in Nagasaki Japan,

Ishiguro retains vivid recollections of his

childhood years, before relocating with

his family to Guilford, Surrey, England in

1960. Ishiguro read English and Philosophy

at the University of Kent, before acting as

a social worker in London. Writing fiction

in his free time, he went on to complete a

Post Graduate Degree in Creative Writing at

the University of East Anglia. His first novel

A Pale View of the Hills (1982) cemented

his reputation as a writer, earning awards

and huge recognition. Ishiguro wrote five

subsequent novels, as well as penning

several original screenplays, two of which

have been documented on channel four.

Ishiguro’s original screenplay is very different

to the films portrayal of The Saddest Music in

the World. Little is known about the former

heavily adapted story apart from it being

set in London in the 1980s. The film was

originally meant to be directed by American-

Canadian film maker Atom Egoyan before

Guy Maddin showed interest.

Maddin, who also served as director worked

with long time writing partner George

Tolles whilst re-scripting Ishiguro’s original

works. The pair are known for penning

alternative, surreal short and feature films

some of which hold reoccurring themes

of love triangles, sibling rivalry, and war;

elements which clearly present themselves

in The Saddest Music in the World. Another

feature of Maddin’s scripts is the continuity

of their setting, in his beloved hometown

of Winnipeg, Canada, this is also true of The

Saddest Music in the World. Begging to write

together in 1991, they have since written

eight subsequent films all of which have

been directed by Maddin.

Set in the 1930s in Winnipeg in the great

depression, director Maddin has stayed true

to the era by capturing the film in grainy

black and white. We follow the legless

baroness Lady Port Huntley, who hopes

to boost the sales of her beer by holding

a contest to find the saddest music in the

world. With a cash prize of $25,000 musicians

from all over the world flocked to Winnipeg,

known as the capital of sorrow. However

the film centres on a three members of one

family all desperate to win the prize; Fyodor

Kent an alcoholic and his two sons, Chester,

a failing broadway producer and ex lover

of Lady Port Huntley, and Roderick Kent,

mourning the loss of his young son and

searching for his missing Serbian wife.

This comic musical melodrama is a truly

original and inventive piece of cinema.

Author Original Screenplay Adaptation Film

UK | 2010 | 103 minutes Director: Guy Maddin Screenplay: Guy Maddin & George Tolles

Starring: Mark McKinney & Isabella Rosellini

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