Northern Soul - The Movie Preview At The Cornerhouse, Manchester

[Guest MBarrett]

When Soulboy came out in 2010 148 people who had seen it voted in the poll and gave it an average score of just under 6 out of 10.

 

 

Is it worth setting up a new poll for Northern Soul? As before only for people who have actually seen it. Or wait until it gets its full release?

 

Either way it would be interesting if people who have seen both films could compare them on a marks out of 10 basis or on things like story line, characters - or whatever.

 

Food for thought anyway.

Edited February 28, 2014 by MBarrett

[Seano]

Here's That Beatin' Rhythm review; I always find it hard negotiating FB

 

Stars and fans gather in Manchester for exclusive film preview

Manchester’s Cornerhouse Cinema was the venue for the long-awaited first screening of Elaine Constantine’s new film Northern Soul.

A reported 10,000 people applied for tickets to the event, run as part of the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival Fringe. Only a few hundred got lucky, mostly from Greater Manchester and northern England.

And last night (Wednesday) the chosen few mingled with the stars and others associated with the production to see the results of years of meticulous planning and execution.

It’s fair to say it hits the mark — at last a credible film really getting to the heart of this incredible era of youth culture that still resonates today.

The storyline cleverly blends all the ingredients that defined the scene in the 1970s — from the obsessive record collecting, dancing and drug taking to the deeper aspects such as… well, the consequences of all of the above.

If you went to all-nighters at the time, it’s an emotional roller coaster ride that will hit you with the highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies all over again. If you didn’t go, it’s the closest you’ll get to ever understanding.

A documentary maker by profession, Elaine says her film had to be fictional to show the scene as a ‘cool thing.’ In other words, 40 years on, the original characters just can’t cut the mustard any more. And, of course, she is right. 

She is also right to say that contemporary documentaries tend to focus in on those who have carried on the obsession and old stereotypes, which make it all seem weird to the rest of the world.

“The human interest is more real,” she said speaking in a question and answer session hosted by BBC broadcaster Stuart Maconie after the screening.

“It’s about the friendships and people pushing themselves to extremes to embrace the music.”

With guidance from her producer Debbie Gray, Elaine has used both her film making skills and inside knowledge of the scene. It avoids becoming corny. It’s eloquent and believable.

Hands up those who felt like an emergency exit door from the mundane and norms of the time had been flung open when you had your first taste of the music down the local youth club.

And the film actually acknowledges that southerners went to Wigan (one is a main character), point out there were relatively few black people on the scene, and, oh yes, you could spot squad a mile off.

The Casino scenes shot at King George’s Hall in Blackburn capture the atmosphere and excitement brilliantly, with clever camera work and lighting playing their part. Elaine credits original Casino DJ Richard Searling with steering her in the right direction for the venue.

There is also a talented young cast to thank. They fully embrace the lives they portray - from the main players to all those who dance in the background. Their dedication is rewarded by the film’s authentic feel.

Enrolling and ‘training’ the dancers was a major operation that started four years before shooting. The youngsters learnt from more experienced shufflers and spinners (many of whom were at the Manchester preview) in sessions in London and Bolton.

Collecting all the original clothing over several years was also part of the painstaking process to get things right

Cameo roles for Steve Coogan, Lisa Stansfield and Ricky Tomlinson can only add weight to the project.

And what about the music? A fabulous sound track includes Shirley Ellis — Soul Time, Duke Browner — Crying Over You, The Salvadors — Stick By me Baby, Luther Ingram — Exus Trek, and many more.

Northern Soul will go on general release this summer.

The sound track will be released on a box set of vinyl and CD. So watch this space.

Bridget Dakin

Thanks for posting that Ady. Bridget used to edit our local paper in Banbury and was always supportive of the local soul scene. Good review.

 

Personally I'm really looking forwards to seeing the film.

[Drewtg]

Regards Dance scenes.

During filming I pulled the director. Told him that it wasn't authentic. Dance Scenes had no one smoking chewing gum etc.

So they changed and reset. Came round with boxes of fake ciggies and gum. Awsome from trailer show at King George Hall Blackburn for Casino 40th Anniversary

 

Don't remember smoking on the dance floor, apart from the odd tourists. Bit difficult clapping with a fag in your hand!.

[Spacehopper]

That was one topic asked in the Q+A "any plans to do a film about the scooterists scene" and  having Ian Brown and Mani? in the audience,no one said they were anything to do with Northern in the 70s. Mr Searling was also in attendance,he might have had some involvement. 

 

that would be a mental film! as anyone attending the scooter rallies of the early/mid 80s on here would know..no one would believe half of it,i still have to think did that really happen?!....couldn't afford to cut down all those restored £5000 lambrettas now anyway :-)

 

as for the film,obviously didn't go but looking forward to it..also saw a post on facebook saying the drug scene was a bit too much as a lot thought it was in the book?

[Pete S]

Don't remember smoking on the dance floor, apart from the odd tourists. Bit difficult clapping with a fag in your hand!.

 

There was a fair bit, I met Gene R at the 100 Club when his fag burnt my Fred Perry!

[Winsford Soul]

Don't remember smoking on the dance floor, apart from the odd tourists. Bit difficult clapping with a fag in your hand!.

Remember watching Vernon spinning with a cig . Amazing sight , all you could see was a light trial. Steve

[Guest lofthope]

It is clearly a public disgrace that a preview of a film could possibly be used to try and attract a wider interest. I recently attended the premiere of Monuments Men without ever having fought in World War 2, stolen Art Treasures nor studied Fine Art. I now find myself being abused by British Legion members, Museum Curators and Art Academics. I'm currently awaiting hate mail from Brian Sewell and Melvyn Bragg.

 

It is clearly a basic Human Right that those who represent the primary commercial audience should be given free subsidised tickets, ensuring that they don't then later contribute to the film's receipts leaving those without a direct interest left to help the film recoup. Oh! Hang On!........these people will not be aware of the film's existence (because previews were limited to grumpy old men with a direct interest) and, consequently,won't buy tickets! Oh well, let's ignore that inconvenience in favour of the altruistic goal of making sure that semi known whingers get sorted out a freebie.

 

I am currently training to be a spy so that I qualify to attend the next James Bond preview.

[Back Street Blue]

I was unsuccesful in getting a freeby from the BBC and appreciate the input on here from folks who went.

Hope its a huge success and I reckon most other ordinary punters do, regardless of how they are labelled by some of the superiority complex members on here.

As a commercial enterprise, I don't blame the folks behind the project adopting whatever means they feel appropriate to promote it or who they feel should or shouldn't be invited to their promotional events.

Looking forward to seeing the film and will take it for what it is regardless.

(...As per...a nostalgic oldies fan)

[Guest frenchie]

I have waited a couple of days prior to posting. Due to work, and basically seeing what others say, critics, non attendees and people genuinely wanting to see a film that does our music scene justice. I was lucky enough to get tickets for Wednesdays days performance so here are my thoughts.....

 

The film was set in 1974, the authenticity of the film was spot on. Elaine captured many things of that era within her sets and filming. The music, dancing,the clothes, the cars, the buildings, the places,   It was a fictional story, not a documentary, in which she portrayed things that most of us at the time could relate too. She added comedy, sadness and reality through the film which made it believable. For me, who first went to the Casino in late 1974, the 2 lads portrayed could of been many I knew.  The many things she incorporated into the story line we remembered and smiled at. Some a bit dark, some very tongue in cheek.

 

She captured the scene outside the Casino magically, the queue, Station Road, the banter, the older guys who were very scary to the younger teenagers.  In fact I recognised them from standing in the corridor at the Beachcomber and the entrance hall of Ms haha. The moment of first entering that sticky loud enormous dance hall we all loved. Which I can still remember to this day 40 years later.

 

Most of us were teenagers just starting out. I had brothers and a sister who attended the Wheel and the Torch. We all attended youth clubs and little "local" dos before making the journeys to the nighters. We got to know the music passionately and have carried on and on and on .

 

The critics will have their say,  but go and see it, buy it on DVD and make your own mind up.  I have been left with wanting to see it again.  Its memories I never dreamt would be recaptured, yep I did squirm at times, but that was at the reality of some of the scenes.

 

So thanks Elaine and well done. You have worked so hard,  now go and give yourself a good pat on the back and relax. It gave me goose pimples in parts so I know for one it had done its job.

 

Penny

x

 

PS Byrney saw the back of your head at the beginning so you can now call yourself a movie star!!

Edited February 28, 2014 by frenchie

[Mike]

the manc evening news view

 

 

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/ian-brown-mani-stone-roses-6757241

[Barry]

Ian Brown, Dave Haslam?

[Quinvy]

 and actress Maxine Peake

 

Now that's far more interesting to me. Great actress, and as Guy Martin would say "she's not hard to look at is she?" 

[Liljimmycrank]

Ian Brown and Manni are Manchester faces, and has been said, they probably know Elaine pretty well.

The preview was in Manchester, so why not drum up interest by putting famous faces at the event relative to where it's being viewed? To argue against that by saying "they weren't there in the 70's" is just utter tosh.

 

These films cost substantial amounts of money. That money needs recouping through ticket sales / DVD sales, sponsorship etc etc.

The film itself is the driving force behind attracting custom, but you also need to find other ways of pulling in the punters, i.e. appeal to the hipsters who think it's cool to watch that film because they read in the Manchester Evening News that Ian Brown also watched it. Sad fact, but true. Plus if you read about The Stone Roses, and Brown / Manni himself, they were into northern soul, particularly from their early scooter rally days.

 

 

Good to see a couple of reviews popping up on here now. Some from a memories view, and some from a cinematic view.

I'll definitely go watch the film, or get it on dvd if unable to attend a cinema it's showing at. I'm more interested in the portrayal of 70's life and how soul music was an escape for people from their mundane lives. I'm interested in the storyline, the music, the dance scenes, that type of stuff but it won't be paramount as i've seen, listened to and read enough stories to get a grasp of the past, so the cinematic credentials are what i'm keen to assess.

[Stevie T]

Ian Brown and Manni are Manchester faces, and has been said, they probably know Elaine pretty well.

The preview was in Manchester, so why not drum up interest by putting famous faces at the event relative to where it's being viewed? To argue against that by saying "they weren't there in the 70's" is just utter tosh.

 

These films cost substantial amounts of money. That money needs recouping through ticket sales / DVD sales, sponsorship etc etc.

The film itself is the driving force behind attracting custom, but you also need to find other ways of pulling in the punters, i.e. appeal to the hipsters who think it's cool to watch that film because they read in the Manchester Evening News that Ian Brown also watched it. Sad fact, but true. Plus if you read about The Stone Roses, and Brown / Manni himself, they were into northern soul, particularly from their early scooter rally days.

 

 

Good to see a couple of reviews popping up on here now. Some from a memories view, and some from a cinematic view.

I'll definitely go watch the film, or get it on dvd if unable to attend a cinema it's showing at. I'm more interested in the portrayal of 70's life and how soul music was an escape for people from their mundane lives. I'm interested in the storyline, the music, the dance scenes, that type of stuff but it won't be paramount as i've seen, listened to and read enough stories to get a grasp of the past, so the cinematic credentials are what i'm keen to assess.

we will have to all get together again to go see this .

 

steve

Edited February 28, 2014 by Stevie T

[Liljimmycrank]

we will have to all get together again to go see this .

 

steve

 

I'm game for that mate

[Stevie T]

I'm game for that mate

pass the word around , as you see them more than i , and let me know , be good to do that .

[Wiggyflat]

I had a good conversation with Mani about the scooter scene when I saw Domino Bones.Definitely knows his onions and a lambretta man...still into Dellortos.I've the mid seventies scooter scene footage in colour from super 8.Scarborough 78,Southend 78 and 79.Definitely a northern thing before Quad.

[Ian Dewhirst]

I had a good conversation with Mani about the scooter scene when I saw Domino Bones.Definitely knows his onions and a lambretta man...still into Dellortos.I've the mid seventies scooter scene footage in colour from super 8.Scarborough 78,Southend 78 and 79.Definitely a northern thing before Quad.

 

We were scootering to Scarborough from 1971.......

 

Ian D 

[Guest]

Just to recap

 

is this film due for general release?

 

Or will it be run at the Corner House in the next few weeks only?

thanks

[Guest frenchie]

From the Q&A the film will be shown in the cinemas in the summer but no dates. It will then be released on DVD.

 

It takes lots of time to do these things professionally and patience is a good thing

Edited February 28, 2014 by frenchie

[Guest]

From the Q&A the film will be shown in the cinemas in the summer but no dates. It will then be released on DVD.

 

It takes lots of time to do these things professionally and patience is a good thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAhjgrQwGzY

[Wiggyflat]

We were scootering to Scarborough from 1971.......

 

Ian D 

Just for you Ian Scarborough 1971

[Triode]

Well its all very subjective but...the cultural revival and interest it has created its a good thing, and although I didn't attend the dance workshop, I think they were a good thing too, except for the new wave of young people in vests and bags, but they didn't know any better for a short period of time. Dance work shop - uniform and songs - straight out to a club and then...Oh...not many people actually wear this anymore. Perhaps they should have been briefed on that ;)

So as Loft has just alluded too in the above post - its a great brand ambassador for the scene, and the music. The soundtrack is great and a real achievement to get music she did on it. The Tomangoes must have been expensive though, you only get 10sec's of that, and the costumes were quality!

 

 

Equally, the justifications from Elaine in the Q&A were genuine, tangible, considered and sincere, but my criticism is that the film was cinematically weak. 

Great narrative/plot/character development in the beginning, but then just seemed rushed and the chronology and distribution of time is weird...does it all happen in a week, or a few months. If its a week, it was a fun, jam packed and exciting week! He moves out, he goes home, he changes jobs, starts up a club...

 

You've got the usual love interest, an emotional tipping point that sends the main character down the dark road to soul, and then enlightenment achieved through the communality of the dance floor and the music. Good acknowledgement of working class culture too but it was lacking something that you'd expect from a Ken Loach film, if one could make a comparison to a British Director who'd try and make something similar; something that grabs or shocks or pulls you emotionally. But maybe its more about passive, entertainment - but I don;t think anyone sets out to make a film that you can just let pass you by - you want something engaging. 

The acting wasn't great either - but I don't know if they were actors before? 

 

 

With due respect finding this hard to read from somebody who has been on the scene a matter of a couple of years! I may well be wrong and if so I stand corrected but I thought you only got into this music in very recent times like 2 or 3 years ? Again if I am wrong I totally withdraw this statement and apologise but feel a little more knowledge and experience is needed to make a judgement on a piece of work that spans a significant and important part of people's life's ..............

[Liljimmycrank]

With due respect.........what are you on about??

Gary's tenure on the soul scene has sod all to do with his cinematic critique of a film!!

He gave a balanced and 'unbiased' view of the film. His review was quite refreshing I thought, and clearly chose to leave the accuracy parts to those who were actually there.

I wasn't in the Vietnam war, not have I ever been a soldier........does that mean I can't write a review on Apocolypse Now??

Someone best phone Elaine and tell her to put bouncers on the cinema doors to check people's Northern Soul life passports. If you haven't done 10yrs work experience, you ain't coming in!!!! Jeeeeeez

Not that it matters, but Gary's been on 'the scene' about 6 years, and that's only from the time I've known him so poss longer

[Guest scottie]

that would be a mental film! as anyone attending the scooter rallies of the early/mid 80s on here would know..no one would believe half of it,i still have to think did that really happen?!....couldn't afford to cut down all those restored £5000 lambrettas now anyway :-)

 

as for the film,obviously didn't go but looking forward to it..also saw a post on facebook saying the drug scene was a bit too much as a lot thought it was in the book?

Spacehopper as someone who hardly missed a run between 82-86 can only echo those sentiments some of the most surreal things happened once walked down a blokes drive in exmouth and slept in in yacht that was in his garden,colwyn bay84 all of us  the airedale sc  leeds parked outside this womans house she came out we asked her if she was alright she said yes and then offered to put the whole sc up she only had two rooms and a couple of kids wasnt an inch of floor space free mustve been 20 or so of us.mental!

[jocko]

With due respect.........what are you on about??

Gary's tenure on the soul scene has sod all to do with his cinematic critique of a film!!

He gave a balanced and 'unbiased' view of the film. His review was quite refreshing I thought, and clearly chose to leave the accuracy parts to those who were actually there.

I wasn't in the Vietnam war, not have I ever been a soldier........does that mean I can't write a review on Apocolypse Now??

Someone best phone Elaine and tell her to put bouncers on the cinema doors to check people's Northern Soul life passports. If you haven't done 10yrs work experience, you ain't coming in!!!! Jeeeeeez

Not that it matters, but Gary's been on 'the scene' about 6 years, and that's only from the time I've known him so poss longer

Have you been on the scene long enough to comment young man :-)

I agree, it was a very good review, I disagreed on a couple of points, e.g I thought there were some really decent acting performances, particularly one of the leads, who is fairly new to acting. But it's fairly obvious Gary has really thought about it and judged it based on how he views films, which is surely the most important way to judge it.

While nowhere as old as Penny, although she obviously looks much younger, :-), I agree the dancehall scene and scenes outside were fantastic, and had me totally choked with memories.

I think it's also worth mentioning the filming, lots of done at night obviously and I though it caught the atmosphere of the night brilliantly, with some great shots.

It's great to see it judged on how it tells the lads story as to me in many ways it's their story, their journey with Northern at heart of it, not the other way round as it's sometimes discussed.

Pleased to see it looks like coming together as a smash!

[Guest frenchie]

Old.... moi you cheeky young buck Jock

[Tailormade Gaz B]

Thanks Azza.

Well, one narrow minded comment isn't too bad going for a soul source thread.

11, almost 12 years I've been 'on the scene' re buying records and I spend most of my 'scene time' in Europe so that might account for me not being on your register.

As for my review, it starts off by saying "well, it's all very subjective...".

Secondly, I was prompted into my review rather than volunteering it because I knew someone would complain which is why I don't bother with SS very much either. However, im glad others found it useful or at least engaging and were able to have a fruitful and fairly healthy discussion.

Lastly, as Azza rightly pointed out it was more focused on cinematics and if you looked at my second reply to someone's post where I jokingly said 'don't be so pessimistic'... I made sure to allude to my position, that I wasn't talking from a 'lived experience'. The fact that I'm a lecturer who predominately researches film, photography and popular culture I guess, is also secondary to my time on the scene and my validity to make an informed opinion.

Edited March 1, 2014 by TailorMade Gaz B

[Guest Saffy1999]

I can definitely confirm that Shane Meadows wasn't there, as I know him.  I did go though ... and here's my little say

 

 

A lot of bloody good tunes in it.  Captured the awesome first visit to the Casino really well.  

 

Without giving too much away, also dealt well with emotional issues that we get help for these days, but didn't back then.

 

Lots of laughs taken straight from your memory of how things were .. Captured paranoia really well .. Even got the nicked milk bottle in a scene!  

 

Great ending aswell .. Not giving it away.  

 

All in all, given the time line, it just about captured everything i remember from my youth and yes, I recommend it!  

 

They are wanting to get it across as much of the country as possible, but my bet is, it will be more likely to be screened in your arty small independents, rather than the large Cineworlds, but that's me speculating. 

 

No, definitely not an embarrassment to we Northern Soulies.   It must have been bloody hard to capture what she did and full credit to Elaine for what she has done.  

 

Your feet will tap, you will have an urge to dance .. Parts will make you laugh out loud, others  a reminder of less happy times.  Most of all, it will bring goose pimples

 

 

I went very open minded.  Didn't go to see Soul Boy .. still haven't seen it.  (Just the mention of the name Duffy on the soundtrack killed it for me!)

 

It took until the following morning to decide if this is what I wanted from a film based on my youth - aswell as Elaines'.  

 

No film can capture YOUR youth and your life from back then, but this pretty well summed it up for me in the time that they had.  

 

I was pretty non committal Wednesday night.    This morning, in the clear light of day, and thinking back on what I watched .. I'm smiling.  

 

Most of you, and I say most, because there will obviously be some very critical people out there who think they could have done a better job, will recognise the characters in this film as someone they have known - put that together with the music, the scene as we knew it, and Elaine Constantine has pretty much got it sewn up.

[Billywhizz]

 

I can definitely confirm that Shane Meadows wasn't there, as I know him.  I did go though ... and here's my little say

 

 

A lot of bloody good tunes in it.  Captured the awesome first visit to the Casino really well.  

 

Without giving too much away, also dealt well with emotional issues that we get help for these days, but didn't back then.

 

Lots of laughs taken straight from your memory of how things were .. Captured paranoia really well .. Even got the nicked milk bottle in a scene!  

 

Great ending aswell .. Not giving it away.  

 

All in all, given the time line, it just about captured everything i remember from my youth and yes, I recommend it!  

 

They are wanting to get it across as much of the country as possible, but my bet is, it will be more likely to be screened in your arty small independents, rather than the large Cineworlds, but that's me speculating. 

 

No, definitely not an embarrassment to we Northern Soulies.   It must have been bloody hard to capture what she did and full credit to Elaine for what she has done.  

 

Your feet will tap, you will have an urge to dance .. Parts will make you laugh out loud, others  a reminder of less happy times.  Most of all, it will bring goose pimples

 

 

I went very open minded.  Didn't go to see Soul Boy .. still haven't seen it.  (Just the mention of the name Duffy on the soundtrack killed it for me!)

 

It took until the following morning to decide if this is what I wanted from a film based on my youth - aswell as Elaines'.  

 

No film can capture YOUR youth and your life from back then, but this pretty well summed it up for me in the time that they had.  

 

I was pretty non committal Wednesday night.    This morning, in the clear light of day, and thinking back on what I watched .. I'm smiling.  

 

Most of you, and I say most, because there will obviously be some very critical people out there who think they could have done a better job, will recognise the characters in this film as someone they have known - put that together with the music, the scene as we knew it, and Elaine Constantine has pretty much got it sewn up.

 

Im really looking forward to seeing it good comment. I hope it will be out sometime this year  billy

[Guest Saffy1999]

Thanks Billy ... yes, should be summer.  The cd/vinyl collection has been signed, sealed and delivered, as it were, but as they are wanting the film to reach as far and wide as possible, they're still in talks.  

 

You know some films where you think, "I'd go and see that again?"  Well, this one did it to me.  

 

Not many films can be perfect, but this is bloody good representation of how life was back then.  Sure it has little bits that niggle at you .. the obligatory romance, but it didn't take over the film and all the little nuances of remembered nights back then they really did well.

 

Everyone around us were singing and tapping their feet - don't go with your pretentious hat on folks, and you will enjoy it.  

 

Elaine pretty much got everything in the film that I remembered.