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Stephen Graham supports Tut Nyuot in "Animol", Ashley Walters' feature directorial debut
Walters co-wrote the youth-institution drama with Nick Love, and it reaches UK cinemas on October 30.
A debut with a familiar face
Ashley Walters has made his feature directorial debut with Animol, and Stephen Graham is in the cast. [1] If you follow Graham's work, the film arrives in UK cinemas on October 30 after being reviewed at the BFI London Film Festival. [1]
Tut Nyuot leads the young cast, with Graham supporting him. [1] Walters co-wrote the film with Nick Love, based on their experiences with such institutions. [1]
Walters previously led the Channel 4 series Top Boy. [2] He and Graham have worked together before on A Thousand Blows and Adolescence. [1]
Inside the institution
The film portrays an institution where toxic masculinity and homophobia run rife alongside loyalty and rare glimmers of friendship. [1] Open assaults in the mess hall are a regular occurrence. [1]
The title comes from the walls, where marks left by previously incarcerated boys read 'You are not animol'. [1]
Troy and the people around him
Troy is the boy at the centre of the story. Mason, his initial cellmate, is a violent psychopath who stabbed his father 36 times. [2]
Dion, a power player and drug pusher, extorts Troy into smuggling a burner phone. [1][2] Troy instantly bonds with Krystiyan, a Polish boy. [1] Krystian is a Polish thief, and the bond becomes a place of solace and peace for Troy. [2][1]
Troy's mother Joy, played by Sharon Duncan Brewster, is his lifeline beyond the walls. [1] Their relationship is strained by her struggle with addiction and sobriety. [1] A queer element emerges in the film as Troy's pressures escalate. [2]
Graham as Claypole
Graham plays Claypole, a well-meaning welfare officer who oversees Troy. [1] The character draws on Graham's mother's experience as a social worker and is portrayed as a man finding humanity within the system. [1]
In a highlight scene, Claypole encourages the boys to ditch their inhibitions and be themselves through unconventional action. [1]
The craft
Walters works as an actor's director, allowing cast members to flourish in long close-up takes. [1] Tasha Back served as director of photography and Danielle Palmer edited the film. [1]
Swindle composed the score and Gini Godwin was the production designer. [1]
What it means for you
If you want to see Walters' first feature as director, Animol is scheduled for UK cinema release on October 30. [1] If you come for Graham, he plays the welfare officer Claypole. [1]
If you follow the two men's partnership, the film follows A Thousand Blows and Adolescence, which they have worked on together. [1]
Sources
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