Streetlife

This gritty drama from BBC Wales begins with two funny, smutty jokes but the mood soon darkens with heroin addiction, sordid, depraved lives. Featuring a sensational performance from Helen McCrory as the exuberant, optimistic Josie.

Surprisingly for such material there are only a couple of FLW's, no nudity and hardly a sex scene or any violence.

The sun is always shining in Pontypridd, there are songs on the soundtrack from Annie Lennox, "Streetlife" is a powerful experience.

Our hero Jo, (Helen McCrory), attempts to better her life in the impoverished estates of the south Wales valleys. Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding her complicate future plans and corner her into a desperate act that only causes her more harm.

Karl Francis created this film from one powerful image in a newspaper of a policeman holding a baby's coffin. From there he structured a very strong script that you'd find yourself drawn into regardless what the outcome for Jo may be. The acting is quiet convincing by professional actors who look and behave as if they where picked off the streets and told to portray their lives for the camera.

A worthy film made for three hundred thousand pounds, shot in four weeks and cut in three weeks. Karl puts this achievement down to knowing the craft of film making.